Queen Marking Combo Kit
The Queen Marking Combo Kit pairs a marking tube with a Posca marking pen — everything you need to hold a queen still and mark her thorax safely. A small dot of paint lets you spot her at a glance during inspections and tells you the year she came from.
Features
- Marking tube with a soft sponge plunger to hold the queen against the screen
- Posca water-based marking pen (non-toxic, bee-safe)
- Mark by the international year color to track the queen's age
- A safe, gentle method that doesn't pin or squeeze the queen
How it works in real life
Coax the queen into the tube and ease the sponge plunger up until she's held gently against the mesh screen, legs free. Dab a small dot of paint on her thorax through the screen, let it dry a moment, then release her back onto the comb. The color you choose marks the year she was introduced, so a glance at her thorax tells you her age. Mark over the open hive so she drops toward the frames if she slips loose.
Before you order
The kit includes the marking tube and one Posca pen. Use the standard year-color code so the mark doubles as an age record: years ending 1/6 white, 2/7 yellow, 3/8 red, 4/9 green, 0/5 blue.
Pairs Well With
- Queen Marking Tube — a spare or replacement tube
- Posca Queen Bee Marking Pen — extra colors for marking by year
- One-Handed Queen Catcher — another way to hold the queen for marking
- Queen Rearing Frame — for raising the queens you mark and track
Specifications
- Includes: marking tube with sponge plunger + 1 Posca marking pen
- Paint: water-based, non-toxic
- Weight: 0.3 lb
- Dimensions: 7 × 5 × 5 in
FAQ
What's included?
A queen marking tube with a sponge plunger and one Posca marking pen.
How do I mark the queen?
Hold her gently against the tube's screen with the sponge plunger, dot her thorax with the pen, and let it dry before releasing her.
What color should I use?
Match the year she was introduced: 1/6 white, 2/7 yellow, 3/8 red, 4/9 green, 0/5 blue.
Is the paint safe for her?
Yes — Posca paint is water-based and non-toxic. Use a small dot and let it dry before she goes back in the hive.
