To Clip or not to Clip that is the Question.

**prakel** · 23-02-2016, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Greengage

Im tempted to not clip but I could regret it if my observation skills are not up to scratch.

In a perfect world I'd choose not to clip, everytime, but I continue to do so because I personally think that it's actually preferable to painting queens. Helps with practical management too, of course, so I suppose I'll continue.

**Neils** · 26-02-2016, 01:46 AM

Originally Posted by The Drone Ranger

I don't mind tree climbing in Summer

I don't for mine, it did become a bigger problem for me being constantly called out to bees hanging off trees near my apiary that I knew for sure weren't mine (even without clipping).

Pragmatism means that this year I will start clipping despite now being in the desolate wilds of Somerset where I, occasionally, wouldn't mind the odd swarm now and again. Nothing worse than coming back to that nice big hive that's going to bring you in a stack of honey, and that you've watched like a hawk to find it half full and that one queen cell that you find now hanging open.

**The Drone Ranger** · 26-02-2016, 11:41 AM

New` Queen though? thats £40 on the open market , so that offsets the loss of honey a bit

It doesn't seem fair to maim a fellow creature and stop them following their nature
Fooling them in to staying put isn't so bad
Sometimes one has to go when the offspring are fierce but that's quick

**Adam** · 02-03-2016, 03:24 PM

I clip and mark mine. If they wriggle when young then I will mark them only and leave the clipping until later - most should have been clipped in the year of their emergence although some might remain intact until spring the following year. Never seen any issues with replacement of clipped queens. It does help with swarm control for the odd beekeeper mistake; the workers swarm and return; more often than not the queen can be re-used - either she is on the grass in front of the hive; has crawled back in or is underneath.
Tip: Don't put a queen you find on the grass in the open back of your car in a queen cage to "deal with later". That is, if you don't want the swarm to find her!

**Greengage** · 02-03-2016, 07:23 PM

Sounds like your speaking from experience of an episode.

**nemphlar** · 02-03-2016, 08:34 PM

A few years back spent a lovely afternoon talking bees with Eric Mc when I mentioned I clipped my queens he gave me a look that was so fierce I've never clipped them since. Makes me laugh to think of it, but I still don't clip them. Snelgroves the answer

**gavin** · 03-03-2016, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by nemphlar

Snelgroves the answer

Another answer is not taking Eric's fierce looks too seriously

**nemphlar** · 03-03-2016, 10:10 PM

Strangely similar to the looks I used to get from my mother in law Gavin, who even on her death bed managed to give me a "Stupid boy " look. Bless her