Queen Isolation Cage

Queen Isolation Cage for Comb-Mounted Confinement

Confining a queen without harming her is one of the trickiest parts of hive management, whether you're stopping her laying for a brood break, protecting her during a treatment, or isolating her to build a queenless nuc. This queen isolation cage pins directly onto the comb, giving the queen a contained space to keep moving and being fed by attendants while she's kept away from open cells.

Made from durable, food-safe plastic with a fine mesh grid, the cage pins into the frame with four sturdy legs and includes a round entry hole with a removable cap, so you can let the queen in, then seal her inside without any fuss.

How to Use It

Step 1: Place the cage onto the honeycomb over the area you want to isolate, pressing the legs into the comb to hold it securely in place.

Step 2: Guide the queen through the round entry hole (marked here in green) so she moves into the enclosed area beneath the cage.

Step 3: Fit the cap into the hole to seal the cage, keeping the queen contained while attendants can still reach her through the mesh.

Why This Design Works

The mesh grid allows worker bees to feed and tend the queen through the cage, so she stays healthy and cared for during confinement. The pin legs hold the cage flat against the comb without crushing bees or brood underneath, and the removable cap means you can release her just as easily as you caged her, no fumbling, no risk of losing her in the process.

Specifications

• Material: Durable food-safe plastic
• Design: Mesh grid with pin legs for securing to comb
• Entry: Round hole with removable cap
• Use: Queen isolation, brood breaks, treatment confinement
• Colour: Red

How does the queen isolation cage attach to the comb?

It pins directly onto the honeycomb frame using four sturdy legs that press into the comb, holding the cage securely in place.

Can worker bees still feed the queen while she's caged?

Yes, the fine mesh grid allows attendant bees to reach through and feed and tend the queen while she's confined.

How do I get the queen into the cage?

Place the cage over the area of comb you want to isolate, then guide the queen through the round entry hole into the enclosed space.

How do I seal the queen inside once she's in?

Fit the removable cap into the entry hole to seal the cage, keeping the queen contained until you're ready to release her.

What is this cage used for?

It's used for isolating the queen during brood breaks, protecting her during hive treatments, or confining her to build a queenless nuc.

Will using this cage harm the queen?

No, the cage is designed to confine her gently without crushing bees or brood, and the mesh lets her continue being cared for by attendants.

What material is the cage made from?

Durable, food-safe plastic with a mesh grid design and pin legs for securing to the frame.

How do I release the queen from the cage?

Simply remove the cap from the entry hole to let her walk out, just as easily as she was caged.

Does this cage damage the comb when removed?

The pin legs are designed to hold the cage in place without damaging the comb, and it lifts off cleanly once no longer needed.

Is this suitable for beginner beekeepers?

Yes, the simple pin-and-cap design makes it straightforward to use, even for those new to queen management techniques.