| MCBA Queen Cell Program |
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The MCBA of PA’s Queen Cell program is designed to improve the genetics of bees in your apiary. We select from the best queens available (locally derived queens or breeder queens). These queens are used to produce queen cells that are provided to members in good standing, for a nominal fee.
Do You Need a Queen Cell?
1. Hive is queenless (have you used a test frame of eggs or very young larvae to be sure).
- Remove frame with eggs from another hive (brush off bees)
- Place test frame where the most bees are in the potentially queenless hive. Top box is easiest.
- Mark the frame (tape, thumb tack, etc.) to easily find it again
- Wait 5-7 days and inspect frame
- If queen cells are formed and charged, hive is queenless; if not, there is a queen
2. Expanding your apiary/making splits/nucs - How to make a nuc/split with a queen cell
- Prepare nuc one to two days before Queen Cell pick up
- Do NOT move the current queen into the nuc/split
- Move 5 frames with adhering bees – one sealed brood; one with pollen and nectar; plus two other frames inspecting carefully so that you are not moving the current queen
- Close the box and reduce entrance to the width of one bee
- Feed 1:1 syrup. Feeding pollen is optional. Use robbing screen if in dearth, honey production, etc.
3. Changing your bees’ genetics (better mite control or gentleness)
- Remove/pinch queen from hive
- Introduce queen cell the following day
- Check for proper emergence of the queen
- Check for evidence of properly mated queen after 14 days: (time frame can vary from 10 – 21 days)
4. Queen is failing or becoming old
- See method under # 3
5. Requeen to eliminate/clean-up brood disease (EFB, Sac brood, etc.)
- If unsure if colony is diseased, contact the state apiary inspector to assess
- See method under # 3
6. Failed requeening after swarming attempt
- See using a test frame under # 1
Contrast: queen emerged alive or queen killed in cell
Normally emerged queen cell (see hinge at bottom) *** copywrite picture used with permission from Ellen Codd |
| Queen killed in her cell (cell ripped in the middle) |
Availability
- When queen cells are available, MCBA queen cell administrator sends out an email to all current members with queen genetics; emergence info; cost per cell; date; time; and location of pick-up. Pick-up locations vary. (If location states the 4H, drive to the lower rear parking lot).
- Respond to the email as soon as possible since the number and variety of queen cells are limited and go very quickly. First come, first served.
- You must receive a confirmation email that a cell is available for you, otherwise you have not gotten a cell this distribution.
Before requesting queen cell(s) available for distribution, can you answer “yes” to all questions:
✓ Do I really need a cell – hive/nuc is queenless?
✓ Can I pick up at the time and place listed in the alert?
✓ Am I prepared to install the cell as soon as possible? It cannot wait until the next day. Temperature and humidity are important
Pick-up and Transportation
Be on time and bring cash. Bring the following for transportation:
✓ Protective container deep enough to keep the cell upright (insulated coffee/Styrofoam cup).
✓ Plastic bag with warm water in the bottom to keep cell warm (body temperature) but not wet.
✓ Cotton balls, tissues, or cushy material to keep the cell protected. Cell needs to breath – do not put against plastic bag.
Timelines:
1. A queen emerges from a ‘ripe’ queen cell in 2 to 3 days2. A queen takes 7 - 10 days to become sexually mature and to complete her mating flights
3. 3 or 4 days after her release, the queen starts to lay
4. In 12 - 17 days after installation of the queen cell, you should see her first eggs (or 10 - 14 days after emergence).
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