»How to Graft Cells – Rearing Queens – Grafting Larvae – Queen Cell Grafting«
There are ways to graft larvae so as to rear queen bees. Steps to doing this require building of a cell builder, do a cell finisher and graft cells.
There are procedures of the queen mating as well. There is the aspect of using a microscope for this procedure but there are types of microscopes that are not recommended. This is due to the angle in which you need to approach the larvae out of the cell. A better chance of grafting uses a magnification glass because it offers a good view of getting in the cell at the right angle. The tool you are going to need is a stainless grafting tool which is just a piece of metal with a curved end.
Skills
You can use a Chinese grafting tool also and all these tools depend on the amount of skill that you have on the grafting procedures.
The Chinese tool has a plunger so you can push the larvae off and it makes the whole process much easier compared to the piece of metal. When grafting lava, digital microscopes come in handy to help show the different ages of what you are seeing in the cells.
Grafting age
Pick the right age of larvae which is around four to five days and not anything older than that. You need to get the angle of approach correct when scooping up the lava from the cell.
Ensure that the time you are reaching for the larvae and into the queen cup, the damage is as minimal as possible. When you have grafted the cell, put the builder in place, give the cells the right food, ensure they are in the right state and with the right proportion of the nurse bees.
Requirements
It is important to identify the age of the larvae and this requires one to note a day four larvae ideally after they have hatched. Taking the larvae out of the cells requires a huge amount of skill which just takes practice. The grafting process and skill helps you get the indication of what the larvae should look like and how big they should be in relation to an egg..
