Cup strips are rows of plastic cell cups mounted on a rearing bar. They are the most widely used form in queen rearing and in royal jelly production.

Why plastic

• Reusable over many rounds
• Dimensionally consistent: Every cup has the same internal size, giving uniform cells
• Detachable: At harvest the cell is lifted off with its holder without being touched
• Cheaper per unit than making fresh wax cups each time

The decisive point: nest odour

Plastic cups are considerably better accepted after hanging in the colony for a few days first.

The bees clean them and they take on the odour of the nest. A strip straight from the packaging smells foreign and is rejected more often.

This is the commonest cause of disappointing acceptance among beginners — and it costs nothing to avoid.

Hygiene

• Plastic takes up smells; store clean and separately
• Leave no detergent residue; it goes directly to the larva
• Do not let it contact chemicals, fuel or paint
• Remove wax and propolis after each round

Cleaning between rounds

Warm water without detergent is usually enough. For stubborn propolis a short period in the cold helps: propolis releases when chilled.

Dry completely before storing.

When to replace

Damaged rims, discolouration and cups that can no longer be cleaned should go. A poor cup gives a poor cell, and making a poor queen is worse than making none.

Practical point

Keep more strips in stock than you think you need. Poorly drawn cells are discarded, and a round that starts short finishes shorter.