Non-Grafting Queen Rearing Systems

Graftless queen rearing systems is the collective name for the devices and methods that let you rear queens without transferring young larvae into cups with a grafting tool: plastic cassette (cage) systems, comb-cutting methods and cell punching are the main ones. In all of them the larva is moved together with the base it hatched on, or not moved at all. This page compares the systems from an equipment point of view, explaining which suits whom, how to choose and how to look after them.

Why choose a graftless system?

In classic grafting, a day-old larva, only slightly larger than a pinhead, has to be lifted from the bottom of the comb cell with its jelly without being turned over. This takes good eyesight, strong light, a steady hand and practice. Graftless systems remove this step or make it easier:

• The skill barrier goes: Beekeepers who have difficulty seeing close up or whose hands shake can also rear queens.
• The larva is not damaged: Because the larva is never touched with a tool, the risk of crushing, drying out and turning over is reduced.
• Larval age is known: If the day the queen laid is recorded, the age of the larva is a calculation, not a guess.

On the other hand, most of these systems require advance planning, handling of the queen or sacrificing a comb. The biology of the method does not change: the larva is still accepted in a queenless starter, fed in a finisher and distributed on the day corresponding to day 10 after grafting.

What graftless queen rearing systems are there?

Plastic cassette systems: parts and choice

Cassette systems are the most common equipment for graftless production. The body is set into the middle of a comb; its face is shaped like comb cells and is closed at the back by cell bases that can be removed one by one. An excluder front cover keeps the queen inside, while workers pass through the grid to tend the eggs and larvae. The sequence of work and a day-by-day timetable are described in detail on the graftless cage systems page.

When choosing a cassette, look at the following:

• Fit in the frame: The body must sit firmly in your hive frame with no gaps around it; gaps make it harder for the bees to accept the cassette.
• Spare parts: Cell bases, holders and cups get used up, break or go missing. The availability of spares of the same type determines the system's lifespan.
• Easy removal: The bases must come out from the back without force and without jarring the larva. Tight or rough parts slow down the transfer.
• Holder fit: The base must fit the holder, and the holder the cell bar, without play; a ripe cell that falls can kill the queen inside.
• Material: Odourless, food-grade plastic that can be washed in hot water is preferred.

How are comb-cutting methods carried out?

Comb-cutting methods need no special plastic parts; the materials are foundation, a knife and molten wax. Their common principle is to offer a comb containing young larvae of the same age to a queenless colony in a form that favours drawing queen cells.

Miller method

Narrow strips of foundation with the lower edge cut into triangular teeth are fitted into an empty frame, and the frame is given to the breeder colony. Once the bees have drawn the comb and the queen has laid, and there are newly hatched larvae along the toothed edges, the frame is moved to a queenless colony. The bees mostly draw queen cells along the comb edges; these are cut out and distributed to splits.

Alley method

A strip of comb with young larvae is cut out, the cells are shortened, and the larvae in two out of every three cells are destroyed with a matchstick to leave gaps. The strip is fixed to a bar with molten wax, cells facing down, and the bar is given to a starter colony. Leaving gaps stops the queen cells from sticking together.

Hopkins method

A comb with young larvae is laid horizontally over the brood nest with the cells facing down, leaving a space beneath where the bees can hang and draw queen cells. The larvae are again thinned out. It needs a strong, populous colony.

What is cell punching?

Cell punching (comb punching) means cutting a comb cell containing a young larva out of the comb together with its base, using a thin-walled tube or a special punch, and placing it in a cup holder or on a bar. The larva is not touched and no special cassette is needed, but holes are made in the breeder comb. It is a simple approach for beekeepers who want only a few cells and can sacrifice a comb.

Which system suits whom?

• Hobby beekeepers who want a few queens: The Miller method or cell punching is enough; almost no extra equipment is needed.
• Regular but medium-scale producers: A plastic cassette system gives certainty about larval age and repeatability.
• Large-scale producers: Usually prefer classic grafting for its speed and flexibility; they use graftless systems as a back-up or a learning tool.
• Royal jelly producers: Because many cups and a repeat every three days are needed, classic grafting is more practical.

Maintenance, cleaning and storage

• End-of-season cleaning: The cassette body, bases and holders are cleared of wax and propolis and washed in hot water. If a scented detergent is used, rinse very thoroughly.
• Away from chemicals: Plastic parts hold odours; do not store them with varroa treatments, fuel or insecticides.
• Closed storage: Keep parts in a dry, closed box, protected from wax moth and mice.
• Disease: Cassettes and bases used in a colony showing signs of disease are not moved to another colony.
• With comb methods: Combs to be cut or punched are taken only from healthy breeder colonies; cutting scraps are not left around the hive, as they invite robbing.

Common mistakes

• Using a cassette without conditioning it: The queen will not lay in new plastic that the bees have not cleaned and polished.
• Not keeping dates: With bases or combs where the laying day is unknown, larval age is left to guesswork.
• Not thinning the larvae: In comb methods, queen cells drawn side by side stick together and are damaged when separated.
• Using a weak colony: Whatever the method, the colony that feeds the cells must be populous and well fed.