How to Mark a Queen Bee for Easy Identification

The blue dot on your queen bee is a mark applied by a beekeeper to make her easier to find in the hive. Therefore, It is completely normal and very helpful!

Here’s why it’s there and what it means:

🔵 What the Blue Dot Means:

Beekeepers use a universal color code to mark queens based on the year the queen was born; however, marking your queen is not mandatory.

Color	Year Ending In
White	1 or 6
Yellow	2 or 7
Red	3 or 8
Green	4 or 9
Blue	5 or 0

So a blue dot means your queen bee was likely born in 2020 or 2025.

🐝 Why Mark a Queen?

Easier to find during hive inspections
To Track her age
Consequently, to know if she’s been replaced (if you find an unmarked queen suddenly)
No harm to the queen — it’s usually done with special non-toxic paint or pens

🧰 Essential Tools to Mark Your Queen Bee:

1. Queen Marking Pen

Purpose: Non-toxic paint pen to mark the thorax
Thus, the recommended Brand: Posca PC-5M (widely used by beekeepers)
Colors follow the international code:
- White – Years ending in 1 or 6
- Yellow – 2 or 7
- Red – 3 or 8
- Green – 4 or 9
- Blue – 5 or 0

2. Queen Marking Tube or Cage

Choose one of the following or you can buy both to decide which you like best

🌀 Queen Marking Tube (most precise)

Clear cylinder with soft foam or mesh at one end
Additionally, gently press the queen against the mesh to mark her thorax

🐝 Queen Catcher Clip

Spring-loaded clip with slotted sides
At the same time, traps the queen safely while letting workers escape
Therefore, use your fingers or a marking pen to apply the mark through the slots

🐝 Push-In Cage (Alternative)

Mesh cage you gently press into a comb over the queen
Specifically, used to temporarily isolate her on a frame while you mark

3. Queen Clip Catcher

(Optional but helpful)

Additionally, a small hand-held clip used to catch and gently contain her before transferring to the tube or marking cage

✨ Optional Add-ons:

In the beginning, get a practice drone frame (use drones to practice catching and marking)
Next, use magnifying glasses or headlamp (if eyesight or lighting is tricky)
Likewise use a paper towel or card to test paint dot before applying

🐝 Step-by-Step: How to Mark Your Queen Bee

1. Find the Queen

She’s longer and moves with purpose.
Look for a slimmer body than a drone and a smooth back.
Use your hive tool gently to isolate the frame she’s on.

2. Catch the Queen

There are 3 safe ways to catch her:

First, fingers (careful, very gentle — hold her thorax, not abdomen)
Second, a queen clip (like a hair clip with slots for bees to exit but not her)
Last, use a queen marking tube (clear cylinder with soft mesh plunger)

3. Immobilize Gently

Use a marking tube with a sponge or mesh plunger to hold her gently against the mesh so she can’t move.
Carefully expose her thorax — the middle section between her head and abdomen.

4. Apply the Mark

Use a tiny dot of paint (just enough to see, not blob or smear)
And place the dot on the top center of the thorax
Afterwards, let her dry for 10–30 seconds

5. Release Her Back

Finally, let her walk back onto a frame or gently place her there.
Most importantly, watch to make sure the workers accept her (they usually do quickly if she was already their queen).

✅ Last – Tips for Success: