I know I was supposed to wait a week before checking on whether Queen Boadicea had escaped from the Queen cage, but I just couldn’t. The bees in the new hive were looking particularly orderly, so I had to take a peek.
Empty Queen Cage!
The Queen cage was empty. The good thing about checking sooner rather than later is that the bees haven’t had a chance to make a lot of messy brace comb in the space where the cage was placed.
But was She alive? I checked one or two frames before I found her, playing with her sisters! She has apparently been accepted by the older girls, and will soon be Large And In Charge!!
What a good day!!
Related articles
- The Queen Is In Residence (romancingthebee.com)
- Queen Boadicea Has Arrived! (romancingthebee.com)
- I Couldn’t Walk Away (romancingthebee.com)
- Doing The Split (romancingthebee.com)
Romancing the Bee 
you do seem to be in YOUR element lol
I do like my bees. A lot!! 🙂
🙂 I know this to be true through your writings and photos it is what life is all about Happiness in what we have and what we do with it
🙂
That’s a wonderful compliment!! It is what life is all about! I think God is happiness, love and laughter. 🙂
Me too
🙂
🙂
This is so interesting.
I’m so glad you like it!!
xo Deb
That was fast. I’ve heard all kinds of bee podcasts on how to get the other bees to accept the queen…like smoke them, smoke her, or leave her in the cage, stick a piece of marshmallow or gummy bear in the entrance to her cage, then let the other bees chew their way in…takes about 3 days, something like that. I’m glad it worked so fast for you.
I waited four days, and the bees did chew through the fondant candy plug.
I also smeared the bees’ honey and wax on the screen of the cage. The Queen walks across the screen and picks up the smell of the hive on her feet.
I’m glad it worked fast too! I really should have waited a full week. 🙂
Long Live the Queen!
Thank you!! xo Deb
Wonderful news, a modern monarch!
She’s my Warrior Queen! 🙂
[…] Queen Boadicea Has Ascended The Throne! (romancingthebee.com) […]
Oh how exciting! I have yet to pop the top on my new hive. I may just have to work it tonight. I haven’t named my queen yet either – I’m waiting for some inspiration!
Good luck!
And it’s okay to have an American “Queen” I think!! 🙂