{"product_id":"plastic-queen-bee-introduction-cage","title":"Plastic Queen Cages | Safe Queen Introduction","description":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Easy, Reliable Way to Introduce a New Queen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIntroducing a new queen is one of the most delicate operations in beekeeping. Drop her straight into the colony and workers often ball, sting, or reject her because she smells like a stranger. The solution is the \u003cstrong\u003equeen introduction cage\u003c\/strong\u003e, a protected enclosure that holds her safely while workers adapt to her pheromones through the mesh. By release time, she's welcomed as their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur \u003cstrong\u003ePlastic Queen Cages\u003c\/strong\u003e are made from durable, food-safe plastic with mesh ventilation, keeping the queen safe and calm during transport, introduction, and release. Bright colours make them easy to spot, and tough construction means they're reusable for years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Do You Need a Queen Cage?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSafe transport\u003c\/strong\u003e: keeps a purchased or shipped queen secure with attendants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGentle introduction\u003c\/strong\u003e: sits in the hive 3 to 7 days so workers accept her scent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemporary confinement\u003c\/strong\u003e: useful for brood breaks, hive work, or queen banking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithout a cage, colonies can reject and kill an unfamiliar queen within minutes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Does Queen Introduction Work?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemove the old queen at least \u003cstrong\u003e24 hours before\u003c\/strong\u003e introducing the new one. Place her in the cage with attendants and a candy plug, then wedge the cage between two brood frames, mesh side accessible. Over \u003cstrong\u003e3 to 7 days\u003c\/strong\u003e, workers feed her through the mesh and learn her pheromones. Bees eat through the candy plug naturally, releasing her at the right moment. Inspect 7 to 10 days later to confirm she's laying and accepted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Plastic Instead of Wooden Cages?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReusable\u003c\/strong\u003e, wash and reuse for years, unlike wood which warps or cracks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHygienic\u003c\/strong\u003e, smooth surfaces clean easily with no porous pathogen risk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLightweight\u003c\/strong\u003e and non-threatening to bees\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBetter visibility\u003c\/strong\u003e to check the queen is alive and well\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAffordable\u003c\/strong\u003e, cheap enough to stock spares\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen Will I Use a Queen Cage?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCommon uses include \u003cstrong\u003ebuying a new queen\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ere-queening\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003esplitting hives\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003ebrood breaks for varroa control\u003c\/strong\u003e (confining the queen for around 21 days), \u003cstrong\u003equeen banking\u003c\/strong\u003e, and \u003cstrong\u003eselective breeding\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Long Should the Queen Stay Caged?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTypically \u003cstrong\u003e3 to 7 days\u003c\/strong\u003e, depending on queenless duration, season, colony temperament, and genetic similarity to the previous queen. The candy plug self-times release, giving \u003cstrong\u003e90%+ success rates\u003c\/strong\u003e compared to direct release.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Do I Know If Introduction Was Successful?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInspect 7 to 10 days after release. Look for \u003cstrong\u003eeggs in cells\u003c\/strong\u003e, calm worker behaviour, attendants feeding her, and no emergency queen cells. If she's dead in the cage or workers react aggressively, wait another 24 to 48 hours queenless before retrying with a fresh queen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow Do I Clean and Reuse the Cages?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRinse with warm water to remove wax and propolis, scrub gently, rinse thoroughly, and air dry completely. Between different colonies, a brief soak in \u003cstrong\u003ediluted vinegar\u003c\/strong\u003e (1:4 with water) removes residual pheromones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Plastic queen introduction and transport cage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Durable food-safe plastic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDesign:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mesh ventilation panels\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColours:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright colours, easy to spot in busy hives\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePack sizes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 Pack (2 cages) or 5 Pack (10 cages)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReusable:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, for years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMethod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Candy plug or manual release\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Beekeeping Gear","offers":[{"title":"1 Pack (2 pcs)","offer_id":41849835225173,"sku":null,"price":2.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"5 Packs (10 pcs)","offer_id":41849835257941,"sku":null,"price":27.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0062\/5029\/9477\/files\/2-x-queen-cages-plastic-copy-1.webp?v=1779462794","url":"https:\/\/www.beekeepinggear.com.au\/products\/plastic-queen-bee-introduction-cage","provider":"Beekeeping Gear","version":"1.0","type":"link"}