Grafting queen cells (advanced)

Queen grafting is an advanced beekeeping technique that allows beekeepers to raise their own queens from selected stock. Grafting involves transferring larvae from a chosen queen (breeder queen) into queen cell cups, which are then placed in a queenless colony to be raised into new queens. Grafting requires specialized tools, knowledge of queen rearing, and careful technique. Successful grafting enables beekeepers to control queen genetics and propagate desirable traits within their apiary. Grafting is a more cost-effective method of queen rearing in the long term but demands significant beekeeping skill and practice. An incubator may be used to improve grafting success rates.