Using a silicone mould and melted wax is a simple and efficient method of producing queen cups that are readily accepted by bees.

The mould is made of soft food-grade silicone, which allows easy removal of the finished cups. Just melt the beeswax and pour it into the mould. Once the castings have cooled, they are very easy to remove from the mould.

Queen bees, i.e. future mothers, develop in larger cells of the comb, called queen cells. They differ not only in size, but also in shape - they are protruding and rounded. To produce queens on a larger scale, special queen cups are used, placed on a strip. The process involves placing a one-day-old larva in a cup using a metal spoon, and then placing the strip with the filled cups among the brood in the bee colony.

 

How to use:

Pour melted wax at a temperature of approximately 80 degrees Celsius into the mould, scrape off the excess and leave to cool. After hardening, remove the finished cups from the recesses.

Diameter of the finished cup : 10mm

Mold dimensions: 175 x 155 x 16 mm

Material: food grade silicone

Features

• Material Quality: The silicone beeswax queen cell cup mould is crafted from high-quality, food-grade silicone, ensuring safety and durability.
• Design Efficiency: Designed for ease of use, the mould allows for the simple and efficient production of queen cell cups, which are essential for beekeeping and queen rearing.
• Capacity: Each mould can produce 42 beeswax queen cell cups at a time, making it suitable for both small-scale and large-scale beekeeping operations.
• Ease of Removal: The silicone material ensures that the beeswax cups can be easily removed once they have set, without damaging the delicate structures1.

Benefits

• Enhanced Queen Rearing: By using this mould, beekeepers can efficiently produce a large number of queen cells, facilitating the rearing of new queens and the expansion of bee colonies.
• Cost-Effective: Reduces the need for purchasing pre-made queen cells, offering long-term savings and the ability to produce cells on-demand.
• Time-Saving: Simplifies the process of queen cell production, saving valuable time during the beekeeping season.
• High Acceptance by Bees: The queen cell cups made with this mould are readily accepted by bees, which is crucial for successful queen rearing.

How to Use

1. Preparation: Melt beeswax to a temperature of approximately 80 degrees Celsius.
2. Filling the Mould: Pour the melted wax into the silicone mould, ensuring each cavity is filled.
3. Cooling: Allow the wax to cool and solidify within the mould. This may take a few minutes depending on the ambient temperature.
4. Removal: Once the wax has set, gently flex the silicone mould to release the beeswax queen cell cups.
5. Installation: Place the beeswax cups into a queen rearing frame or holder to be introduced to the bee colony for queen rearing.