JC's Bee Blog

Are you ready to graft? Or maybe you already grafted and was wondering when each step took place with the cells. Check out my new  Queen Rearing Calendar Generator . This is a excellent tool for all beekeeper who raise queen cells. Check it out and share it with fellow beekeepers. Do you know how to graft queens? Want to learn? Follow my step by step video. If you already seen the grafting video. What are your thoughts? Do you use a different method to raise queen cells? Will you try this method? Comment below....

Have you ever thought about marking your queens? Maybe you were afraid you would hurt her. Or maybe you just didn't know how to go about it. Well I took a few minutes and created a Homemade queen marking cage. These tools can be purchased through most bee equipment suppliers. But I have always been one to make stuff if materials are not hard to come by. And if I can save a few bucks along the way then that's just a bonus. So to make your own queen marking cage you will need a few things to get started. 1. A empty subscription pill bottle. ( Because they are transparent) 2. 7/16" Dowel rod 4 1/2" long 3. Piece of sponge material (Enough to cover plunger) 4. A hole saw the same diameter as pill bottle. ( Mine is 2") 5. Netting material to cover end. 6. Small piece of 3/4" lumber (For plunger) 7. (2) Rubberbands We will start by using a hole saw to remove the bottom of the pill bottle. Measure across the bottom of bottle to see what size is ...