1st grafting attempt

[fatshark]

I'm late to the thread (partly because I've been out putting hair rollers round my current queen cells) and can add little to what others have suggested. Buzzy Bee Shop do a NC Queen Rearing Kit (10 Queens) for £9.75 +P+P. Coupled with a suitable brood frame (and I'd use brood to get the cell bar well down into the warm area between adjacent frames) and a fine paintbrush you'll be good to go. I'd add strong glasses if you need them and a head torch - both make seeing the small larvae much easier.

Practice makes perfect when grafting. If the weather holds there still ample time this year to get mated queens. I'll do my last round in mid-August probably.

Read up the threads on the Ben Harden system which is a single hive method of cell raising that needs little additional kit and does not interrupt honey production.

The most fun you can have with your beesuit on