Marking cage with plunger, plastic

The Queen Marking Plunger is a specialized tool used in beekeeping for the purpose of safely marking queen bees. This device allows beekeepers to apply a small dot of paint or a marker to the queen bee for easy identification within the hive. The process of using the Queen Marking Plunger involves several steps:

1. Placing the Queen: The queen bee is placed inside the tube of the plunger through a side opening. This is done gently to ensure the safety of the queen.
2. Immobilizing the Queen: Once the queen is inside, the beekeeper gently pushes the plunger towards a mesh or grid at the end of the tube. This action immobilises the queen against the mesh without harming her, thanks to a soft sponge or foam attached to the end of the plunger.
3. Marking the Queen: With the queen immobilised and her thorax exposed through the mesh, the beekeeper can then apply a small dot of paint or marker to her thorax. This marking is typically done with a Posca pen or another non-toxic, water-based marker that is safe for bees.

Benefits of Marking Your Queen

The use of a Queen Marking Plunger offers several benefits in beekeeping:

• Safety for the Queen: The design of the plunger, with its soft sponge or foam, ensures that the queen can be immobilized gently without risk of injury.
• Ease of Identification: Marking the queen makes her much easier to spot during hive inspections, which is particularly useful for monitoring her health and productivity, as well as for educational purposes.
• Tracking Queen Age and Swarming: Different colours can be used to mark queens from different years, allowing beekeepers to track the age of their queens. Additionally, if a previously marked queen is replaced by an unmarked one, it can indicate that the colony has swarmed and requeened itself.
• Simplifies Hive Management: Marking queens can assist in various hive management practices, such as swarm control and breeding programs, by making it easier to identify and track the movements and lifespan of the queen within and across hives