Grafting Tools

Grafting tools (grafting spoons, grafting needles) are fine-tipped hand tools used to lift a worker larva less than a day old out of its comb cell, together with the jelly beneath it, and carry it into a queen cell cup or royal jelly cup without crushing or turning it over. The most common are the flexible-tongue (Chinese) grafting tool, the fine metal-tipped tool, the push-type (plunger) tool and the fine brush. The tools are cheap; what really makes the difference is how easily the tip slides under the larva and how used your hand is to the tool.

What is grafting (larva transfer)?

Larva transfer, commonly called grafting, is the transfer of very young worker larvae taken from a comb of the breeder colony into artificial queen cells, i.e. cell cups, in queen rearing and royal jelly production. The bees feed these larvae generously with royal jelly as future queens. In queen rearing the cells are capped and mature; in royal jelly production the jelly is collected about three days later.

Successful grafting depends on three things: the age of the larva (the youngest possible, less than 24 hours old), the larva not being damaged or drying out, and the larva lying in the cup on top of the jelly, in the same position it had in the comb. The grafting tool directly affects the second and third conditions in particular.

Types of grafting tool

Flexible-tongue (Chinese) grafting tool

A plastic body with a thin, flexible tongue at the end and a spring-loaded plunger inside. The tongue bends along the wall of the comb cell and slides easily under the larva; at the cup, the plunger button is pressed and the larva is released from the tip of the tongue together with its jelly. It is the most common and cheapest type and generally the easiest for beginners. The tongue wears and curls over time; fit a spare tongue or replace the tool.

Fine metal-tipped grafting tool

A stainless steel tool whose end is thinned into a tiny spoon or a slightly curved tongue. It is durable, easy to clean and lasts for many years. The tip must be smooth, burr-free and very thin; a thick or rough tip injures the larva. It takes a little more practice than the flexible tongue.

Push-type (plunger) tool

It picks up the larva in the small spoon at its tip and deposits it at the bottom of the cup with a plunger or push mechanism. It makes it easy for the larva to come away from the tool; some beekeepers prefer it especially for wet grafting.

Fine brushes and flat-tipped tools

A very fine, soft-bristled brush or thin, flat-tipped handled tools are also used. A soft tip is gentle on the larva, but picking the larva up with its jelly and releasing it from the brush takes practice. Do not use a brush whose bristles have splayed.

Graftless systems

For those who want to work without touching the larva at all, there are graftless cage systems in which the queen lays in removable cell bases inside a plastic box. Once the larvae hatch, the bases are fitted into their holders and transferred. This is not a grafting tool but a method that replaces grafting; details are on the Queen Rearing Equipment page.

What should you look for when choosing a grafting tool?

• Tip thickness: The thinner the tip, the more easily it slides under the larva. A thick tip pushes or crushes the larva.
• Flexibility: A flexible tip follows the curve at the bottom of the cell; with a rigid tip the angle matters more.
• Surface: It must be smooth and burr-free; check it with a magnifier.
• Spare parts: Availability of spare tongues for flexible-tongue tools; a sheath to protect the tip of metal tools.
• Grip: A slim but non-slip body so your hand does not tire during long grafting sessions.
• Personal preference: Find out by trial which tool loses you the fewest larvae; having two different types is a good start.

How do you use a grafting tool? Step by step

1. Preparation: Work in a cool, shaded, wind-free place. Prepare the light source, damp cloth, cell bars and tool in advance.
2. Take the comb: Brush the bees off a comb with young larvae from the breeder colony and bring it straight to the work area; do not jolt it or leave it in the sun.
3. Choose the larva: Choose a crescent-shaped larva, slightly larger than a pinhead, floating in plenty of jelly at the bottom of the cell. A larva that has closed into a full "C" is too old.
4. Go in from behind: Lower the tip of the tool along the cell wall on the outer (back) side of the larva's curve down to the bottom and slide it under the larva.
5. Lift: Lift the larva with the jelly beneath it, without turning it. The larva should keep the position it had in the comb on the tip; the side it lies on must not change.
6. Release: Touch the tip to the centre of the cup bottom and release the larva; with a flexible-tongue tool press the plunger, with others slide it off by drawing the tip back gently.
7. Cover and return: Cover the grafted bars with a damp cloth and give the frame to the colony as soon as you have finished.

Dry, wet and double grafting

• Dry grafting: The larva is placed in an empty cup. This is common and gives good results when you work quickly.
• Wet grafting: A drop of royal jelly diluted with water is first placed at the bottom of the cup; this delays drying of the larva and makes it easier to release from the tool.
• Double grafting: A day after the first grafting, the larva in each accepted cup is removed and replaced with a new, very young larva. The aim is for a larva that finds the cup already stocked with jelly to be well fed from its first hour; it takes extra work.

Cleaning and caring for the tool

• During the session: Jelly and wax building up on the tip are wiped off with a clean, damp cloth.
• At the end of the session: The tip is washed in lukewarm water and dried thoroughly. Scented cleaners are not used.
• Checking: Examine the tip regularly with a magnifier; a split, curled or roughened tip injures larvae and should be replaced at once.
• Storage: Store the tool in a sheath or box that protects the tip, away from chemicals.
• Suspected disease: Do not take larvae from a colony showing signs of disease; the tool can carry disease between colonies.

Common mistakes

• Choosing larvae that are too old: The mistake that lowers quality the most; it happens more often when light and magnification are inadequate.
• Turning the larva over: A larva turned upside down can drown in the jelly or not be accepted.
• Crushing or piercing the larva: The result of using a thick or rough tip.
• Working slowly: A larva left exposed dries out within minutes. Graft the bars in small groups and cover them straight away.
• Not checking the tip of the tool: A worn tongue can go unnoticed for months.