Queen marking and clipping
Queen marking and clipping are optional but common beekeeping practices. Queen marking involves placing a colored dot on the queen's thorax for easy identification during hive inspections. Queen clipping is the practice of removing a small portion of one queen wing to prevent her from flying away with swarms. Both techniques have proponents and critics within the beekeeping community. Marking aids in queen spotting and record-keeping, while clipping is a controversial swarm control method.
- Queen marking pens4
Queen marking pens are specialized marking tools designed for safely and effectively marking honey bee queens. These pens typically use non-toxic, quick-drying paint in standardized colors that correspond to the year of queen introduction (international color codes). Marking queens with a colored…
📌 commercial4/16/2025, 9:22:02 PM
🛠️ Queen marking pens
- Queen clipping scissors2
Queen clipping scissors are fine-tipped scissors used to clip a small portion of one wing of the queen bee. Wing clipping is a controversial swarm control technique aimed at preventing the queen from flying away with a swarm. By clipping one wing, the queen is rendered flightless, theoretically…
📌 commercial4/16/2025, 9:22:02 PM
🛠️ Queen clipping scissors
- Queen handling tools3
Queen handling tools, such as queen catchers and marking tubes, are designed to facilitate safe and gentle handling of queen bees during marking and clipping procedures. Queen catchers are small cages used to temporarily confine the queen for easier manipulation. Marking tubes are clear tubes that…
📌 commercial4/16/2025, 9:22:02 PM
🛠️ Queen handling tools