Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Appearance
• Method 2 of 4: Search in the Right Places
• Method 3 of 4: Identify the uterus by its behavior
• Method 4 of 4: Tag the Queen
• Tips
• Warnings

The Queen Bee is the leader of the bee colony and the mother of most (if not all) worker bees and drones. A healthy uterus is very important for the prosperity of the colony. When she gets old and dies, the hive will die with her, unless a new queen appears in the colony. To keep the hive alive, beekeepers must be able to distinguish and mark the queen bee from other bees. In this article, you will learn how to identify a queen bee by behavior, location in the hive, and physical traits.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Appearance

1. 1 Find the largest bee. The queen bee is almost always the largest bee in the colony. Drones can sometimes reach and even exceed the size of the uterus, but they can be distinguished by their thickness. The queen bee is longer and narrower than other bees.
2. 2 Note the pointed belly. The belly of bees is in the lower part of the body, near the sting. Although honey bees have a blunt belly, the uterus has a more pointed abdomen. On this basis, the queen bee is very easy to recognize.
3. 3 Find a bee with splayed legs. Worker bees and drones have their legs directly under the body. They are practically invisible when looking at the bees from above. Since the legs of the queen bee are spread out, they are very clearly visible.
4. 4 Find a sting without barbs. There is only one queen living in each hive. If you find several bees that look like a queen bee, gently lift them up by the thoracic region (middle part of the body). Bring them to a magnifying glass and look at the sting. Worker bees, drones, and barren queens have barbs on their stings. The queen has no such barbs, and the sting is smooth.

Method 2 of 4: Search in the Right Places

1. 1 Find the maggot. Carefully remove each hive frame and locate the maggot. They look like small white caterpillars and are usually found in a heap among other larvae. Since all the eggs in the colony are laid by the queen, she should also be nearby.
   • Be very careful when removing the hive frames so as not to inadvertently kill the queen.
2. 2 Check in secluded spots. Queen bees do not crawl around the edges or outside of the hive. She would rather be located somewhere in the depths of the colony, away from the outside world. If you have a vertical hive, then it will most likely be in one of the lower frames. If the hive is horizontal, look for it in the center.
3. 3 Pay attention to unusual behavior in the hive. The queen bee can move with other bees in the colony. If you notice any unusual activity in the hive (for example, bees are gathering together or larvae appear where they usually should not be), then the queen may be nearby.

Method 3 of 4: Identify the uterus by its behavior

1. 1 Pay attention to when the bees part. Worker bees and drones always step aside to make way for the queen. When it passes, the bees will gather where it was. Notice the bees that make way for another bee.
2. 2 Find a bee that does nothing. The queen bee is fed by the entire hive, and besides laying eggs, she no longer has any obligations. Find a bee that is not busy with anything. Most likely, this is the queen.
3. 3 Pay attention to whether the bees are feeding a particular bee. All the needs of the queen bee are met by her hive. Find bees that are grooming and feeding another bee. There is a possibility that it will not be a queen at all, but a barren queen or a young bee, but chances are good that it is still her.

Method 4 of 4: Tag the Queen

1. 1 Choose the right paint color. Beekeepers have specific colors for marking queen bees who were born in a specific year. This will help you quickly find the queen in the hive and understand if the colony will need a new queen soon. Choose a suitable paint before marking the uterus.
   • Any acrylic paint will do. Many beekeepers use acrylic paint for models and even markers.
   • Queens born in years ending in 1 and 6 are marked with white paint.
   • Queens born in years ending in 2 and 7 are marked with yellow paint.
   • Queens born in years ending in 3 and 8 are marked in red.
   • Queens born in years ending in 4 and 9 are marked with green paint.
   • Use blue paint to mark queen bees born in years ending in 5 and 0.
2. 2 Prepare everything you need for labeling. Do not hold the bee for too long to avoid upsetting or injuring it.Before you pick up the queen, take the desired marking paint. Dip a paintbrush or marker into the paint and hold it ready in your hand or on a small table next to the hive.
3. 3 Gently lift the uterus by the thoracic region or wings. Gently grasp the queen bee by the wings or thoracic region. Lift it up with the utmost care. If the uterus starts to rest, you can accidentally rip off its wings or even crush it.
   • Some apiaries sell bee marking kits, which include a small plastic box to place the queen during marking, but you may not need to buy one.
4. 4 Keep the queen above the hive. If you accidentally drop your uterus, it's best if it falls back into the hive rather than onto the grass or onto your suit. During the marking process, keep the queen over the hive at all times.
5. 5 Place a small dot on her chest. Place a point on the thoracic uterus, just between the front two legs. Apply enough paint so that the dot is visible, but don't overdo it, or the dried paint can hinder the movement of its wings or legs.
6. 6 Trim the edges of the wings (optional). Some beekeepers prefer to clip the wings of the queen instead of marking her with paint, but this is not necessary. If you choose to clip the wings, carefully take the uterus and trim the bottom quarter of both wings with small scissors.

Tips

• Check the hive from time to time to make sure the queen is still there.
• In addition to honey, try collecting royal milk, which is used as a dietary supplement.

Warnings

• Remember to wear protective equipment when handling bees.
• If you choose to mark the queen by clipping her wings, trim only the edges. If you cut too close, the worker bees will think she is injured and will kill her.