Moving safely and stress-free - the basis for success
What will you learn here?
- What tools are suitable for safely capturing the queen and moving her to the hive?
- How to ensure she is as stress-free as possible during settling in
- What to watch out for, unsuitable things and products
Last updated: 17/04/2026
Queen/worker/bumblebee capture tools
If you want to house a queen bee in a hive in your garden, you will need a net for gentle trapping .
The second fundamental rule is to have a net on standby "-)
- Please remember, however, that the entire net is lightweight and the mesh material is soft.
Notice:
- The "Bumblebees - type 2020 set for gentle capture of the bumblebee queen" is available on the market
- However, this set 20 cm diameter trapping net of inappropriate depth – do not close the queen in the net with your hand
- The kit also includes an inserter made from a small 20 ml plastic syringe , which cannot accommodate queen mothers of large bumblebee species.
- Learn more HERE
Net for gentle trapping of bumblebees
Diameter 20 + 40cm
Photo J. Černý
Net for gentle insect capture
Source Internet
Net on standby
Photo O Hercog
The net is on standby
😀
Photo O. Hercog
Capture set
WARNING - inappropriate size of mesh (shallow) and introducer (small diameter of syringe 20 ml)
Photo from seller's website
Queen Mother Hive Inserter
When you offer a scare to the queen mother in the spring, you will need a bootloader.
What is a bootloader?
The feeder is basically a tube into which you gently place the captured queen bee. You then press the feeder onto the entry hole in the protective flap.
The queen bee will then seek an escape from the feeder and therefore will move into the entry hole and thus into the entrance corridor of the hive.
The procedure for introducing a queen mother can be found HERE ( under preparation ).
What bootloader should I use?
There are of course more solutions, here we will show you the basic ones.
You can buy an inserter at a pharmacy or make one yourself at home from a 60 ml syringe with an internal diameter of 25.5 mm.
Note
– The syringe is sold as a 50 ml syringe, although it is marked with a scale up to 60 ml – see photo. Even a large queen bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), which is up to 26 mm long, can easily fit into such an inserter.
If you buy an inserter with a smaller diameter, you will have difficulty getting the queen into the inserter when trapping with a net – the queen will be stressed and this will significantly reduce the success rate of settling the hive.
How to make a bootloader?
- You can buy a larger plastic syringe at the pharmacy,
- Remove the plunger and cut off the part of the syringe where the needle is inserted (cut off the entire narrow part),
- The syringe is made of plastic, but we recommend cutting it with a fine saw to make the cut smooth. A hacksaw is suitable,
- The cut should be straight so that the inserter fits well,
- Smooth the cut edge with sandpaper/file so that the trapping net does not catch on it,
- Blow out sawdust from cutting,
- Push the piston back in,
- Also prepare a ground cork stopper to close the inserter until you catch the mother in it,
- It is a good idea to get a case for the inserter (rolled up thick paper) to shade the inserter and keep the captured mother calm.
Finta – Jacob's boot with a slanted front surface
In 2019, Jakub Černý invented a wonderful and simple thing – a slanted boot. We recommend .
Instead of making a straight cut (perpendicular to the axis of the syringe), simply make the cut diagonally so that the inserter is placed on the front of the flap in a horizontal position (see picture).
Why do we recommend a loader with a slanted front surface?
Bumblebees tend to escape from captivity by flying upwards.
If you cut the introducer straight (cut perpendicular to the axis of the syringe), the introducer will be at an angle when placed on the entry hole. The mother will slide in it and will want to escape through it. She will get stressed and will not want to enter the entry hole.
However, if you use a slanted inserter and place it on the flap, the inserter will be in a horizontal position. The queen mother will visibly calm down and enter the entrance hole more easily.
Notice:
- The "Bumblebees - type 2020 set for gentle capture of the bumblebee queen" is available on the market
- However, this set includes 20 cm diameter trap net of inappropriate depth – do not close the queen in the net with your hand after trapping.
- The kit also includes an inserter made from a small 20 ml plastic syringe , which cannot accommodate queen mothers of large bumblebee species.
- Learn more HERE
Queen bee introducer into the hive – diagonally cut front surface
Note – available in pharmacies as a 50 ml syringe
Photo O. Hercog
Queen bee feeder – straight cut front surface
Queen bee feeder into the hive – diagonally cut front surface – suitable cutting angle,
feeder attached to the entry hole,
queen enters the hive more easily
Photo O. Hercog
Queen bee feeder into the hive – straight cut front surface
of the feeder attached to the entry hole
The queen will slide in the feeder and will have difficulty entering the hive
Photo O. Hercog
Loader with a case
If you put a case on the loader, the captured mother will be in the loader in the dark and more at ease
Photo O. Hercog
Queen bee feeder into the hive after being placed on the entry hole
Foro O. Hercog
The transmitter – the mother of the rock bumblebee
Photo O. Hercog
The transmitter – the mother of the agricultural bumblebee
Photo O. Hercog
Sealing the entrance/inlet to the hive
Why plug the intake opening?
An entrance seal is not something you have to make complicatedly, yet you will use it often.
The gap needs to be closed in the following cases:
- You are introducing the queen mother to the nest,
- you need to close the hive operatively to transfer the hive indoors or transport it,
- you decide to close the hive at night to reduce the risk of the bumblebee wasp parasite (Aphomia sociella) entering the hive.
How to close the vent (inlet)?
a) Cork stopper aka "solution of bumblebee breeders from Moravia" 😀
For transport and long-term closure, we recommend using a cork stopper ground into a cone . Cork stoppers can be used for all purposes, including for introducing a mother.
You insert the pre-ground plug into the entry hole and press it down until it holds. The plug is flexible, it will hold well and will not fall out. It will also seal well and the bumblebees locked in the hive will not see the light.
Be careful not to pinch the bumblebee or its leg when closing it
b) Roll of paper
You can use a roll of paper and insert it into the inlet hole instead of a stopper. The solution is not as durable as a cork stopper and bumblebees can chew through it.
The wind can easily blow such a stopper away, or it can fall out during transport - this can be solved by covering it with adhesive tape.
c) Piece of cardboard/tree leaf
When introducing the queen mother, you close the hive for a short time. The only thing is that the queen mother cannot see the light and enter the hive. The previous methods can be used well.
Some people close the hive by covering the entrance hole with a piece of opaque cardboard , closing the flap and securing it with a clothespin.
This solution is also possible, but it is quite laborious and you need to use both hands . This is quite a problem, especially when introducing the queen mother.
We have also seen the entrance hole being closed with a pine cone (a beekeeper from Děčín ...). However, this did not indicate good preparation for the event.
d) Operative closing of the flap with a clothespin
close the entrance quickly for some reason , simply secure the flap in the closed position with a clothespin /clamp.
However, do not use this solution when introducing the queen bee into the hive . She will most likely remain sitting by the light shining through the entrance and will not enter the hive - this will prevent the introduction and nesting from going well.
Our recommendation
- Test possible variations and their use before your space is occupied,
- Choose a solution that suits you and what purpose you want to use it for,
- Get practice in closing before you use it in real life. Details like "knowing exactly where my stopper is, etc." will give you peace of mind and time to work.
Closing the hive with a ground cork stopper
Photo O. Hercog
Closing the hive with a roll of napkin
Photo O. Hercog
Closing the hive with a cardboard cutout
Photo O. Hercog
Bumblebees PLUS – Closing the hive with a leaf
is an emergency solution of the "nothing else at hand" type
Photo O. Hercog
Closing the hive by closing the flap and securing it with a clothespin.
Quick and easy, but cannot be used when introducing the queen bee into the nest – she can see the light shining through!
Photo O. Hercog