{"product_id":"press-in-queen-marking-cage","title":"Press-In Queen Marking Cage – Metal Marking Tool (Crown of Thornes)","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"364\" data-end=\"616\"\u003eThe press-in queen marking cage is a simple and effective tool used to safely restrain a queen bee directly on the comb for marking or inspection. Designed with a fine wire mesh grid, it allows you to mark the queen without removing her from the frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"618\" data-end=\"802\"\u003eManufactured in the UK, this durable marking cage provides a reliable alternative to plastic marking tools and is widely used by beekeepers for quick and accurate queen identification.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"ycgkk5\" data-start=\"809\" data-end=\"825\"\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"827\" data-end=\"1141\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"173m3ij\" data-start=\"827\" data-end=\"878\"\u003eSafely restrains the queen directly on the comb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1hqlq2v\" data-start=\"879\" data-end=\"924\"\u003eAllows marking without handling the queen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"5pveqd\" data-start=\"925\" data-end=\"977\"\u003eFine mesh grid for clear visibility and accuracy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ldebzf\" data-start=\"978\" data-end=\"1034\"\u003eStrong metal construction – long-lasting and durable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"qusgya\" data-start=\"1035\" data-end=\"1087\"\u003eFaster and safer than catching the queen by hand\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1hzrxz7\" data-start=\"1088\" data-end=\"1141\"\u003eSuitable for beginners and experienced beekeepers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"16nlerp\" data-start=\"1148\" data-end=\"1176\"\u003eWhat Is a Press-In Cage?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1178\" data-end=\"1325\"\u003eA press-in cage (also known as a marking cage or “crown of thorns”) is used to temporarily confine a queen on the comb so she can be safely marked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1327\" data-end=\"1579\"\u003eThe cage is gently pressed into the wax, holding the queen in place under a mesh grid while allowing worker bees to continue interacting with her. This reduces stress and lowers the risk of injury during marking. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"9kmvp5\" data-start=\"1586\" data-end=\"1602\"\u003eHow It Works\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col data-start=\"1604\" data-end=\"1847\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1ot7rw\" data-start=\"1604\" data-end=\"1638\"\u003eLocate the queen on the frame\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1i4cqsx\" data-start=\"1639\" data-end=\"1694\"\u003eGently press the cage into the comb over the queen\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1x4ex8x\" data-start=\"1695\" data-end=\"1745\"\u003eEnsure she is safely contained under the mesh\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"qw6yqp\" data-start=\"1746\" data-end=\"1796\"\u003eApply a marking pen or paint through the grid\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1ci4dwo\" data-start=\"1797\" data-end=\"1847\"\u003eAllow the mark to dry before lifting the cage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1849\" data-end=\"1931\"\u003eThis method allows precise marking without needing to pick up or handle the queen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"srj4jy\" data-start=\"1938\" data-end=\"1958\"\u003eWho Is This For?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"1960\" data-end=\"2140\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1drf9ew\" data-start=\"1960\" data-end=\"2008\"\u003eBeekeepers marking queens for identification\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1j3j69x\" data-start=\"2009\" data-end=\"2054\"\u003eThose inspecting multiple hives regularly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"odyeu9\" data-start=\"2055\" data-end=\"2099\"\u003eBeginners wanting a safer marking method\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"4p4j11\" data-start=\"2100\" data-end=\"2140\"\u003eQueen breeders and nucleus producers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1ualmiu\" data-start=\"2147\" data-end=\"2181\"\u003ePress-In Cage vs Other Methods\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2183\" data-end=\"2333\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"10w5vah\" data-start=\"2183\" data-end=\"2230\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2185\" data-end=\"2203\"\u003ePress-in cage:\u003c\/strong\u003e safest, minimal handling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1pvixz5\" data-start=\"2231\" data-end=\"2287\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2233\" data-end=\"2250\"\u003eMarking tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e more control but requires handling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1vztyu7\" data-start=\"2288\" data-end=\"2333\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2290\" data-end=\"2307\"\u003eHand marking:\u003c\/strong\u003e fastest but higher risk\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2335\" data-end=\"2406\"\u003e👉 Press-in cages are often preferred for reducing stress on the queen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"rqpm7s\" data-start=\"2413\" data-end=\"2436\"\u003eCompatible Products\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2438\" data-end=\"2470\"\u003eFor best results, use alongside:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2472\" data-end=\"2601\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1x0pwyo\" data-start=\"2472\" data-end=\"2511\"\u003eQueen marking pens (e.g. Uni Posca)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"xi7k5h\" data-start=\"2512\" data-end=\"2562\"\u003eMarking cages or clips (optional alternatives)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"foxplh\" data-start=\"2563\" data-end=\"2601\"\u003eQueen rearing and management tools\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1yl5694\" data-start=\"2608\" data-end=\"2626\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2628\" data-end=\"2804\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"l05uvf\" data-start=\"2628\" data-end=\"2668\"\u003eProduct: Press-in queen marking cage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1jxj9ub\" data-start=\"2669\" data-end=\"2694\"\u003eBrand: Thorne (Q0011)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1g76d9p\" data-start=\"2695\" data-end=\"2729\"\u003eMaterial: Metal mesh and frame\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"12md397\" data-start=\"2730\" data-end=\"2767\"\u003eUse: Queen marking and inspection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"cq6eti\" data-start=\"2768\" data-end=\"2785\"\u003eReusable: Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"bkkwdh\" data-start=\"2786\" data-end=\"2804\"\u003eMade in the UK\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-section-id=\"1xxf4ds\" data-start=\"2811\" data-end=\"2818\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2820\" data-end=\"2941\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2820\" data-end=\"2857\"\u003eWhat is a press-in cage used for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2857\" data-end=\"2860\"\u003eIt is used to safely hold a queen in place on the comb for marking or inspection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2948\" data-end=\"3052\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2948\" data-end=\"2993\"\u003eIs this better than picking up the queen?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2993\" data-end=\"2996\"\u003eYes — it reduces handling and lowers the risk of injury.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3059\" data-end=\"3171\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3059\" data-end=\"3101\"\u003eCan I mark the queen through the cage?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3101\" data-end=\"3104\"\u003eYes — the mesh allows you to apply paint or a marking pen directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3178\" data-end=\"3278\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3178\" data-end=\"3206\"\u003eWill this harm the comb?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3206\" data-end=\"3209\"\u003eNo — when used gently, it can be pressed into the wax without damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3285\" data-end=\"3393\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3285\" data-end=\"3320\"\u003eIs this suitable for beginners?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3320\" data-end=\"3323\"\u003eYes — it is one of the safest ways to mark a queen without experience.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Thorne","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48142014120168,"sku":"Q0011_Thorne","price":10.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0487\/1949\/5317\/files\/1_6c2e3765-6cb7-4fa9-acae-8c0d2863d49f.png?v=1686836186","url":"https:\/\/gwenyngruffydd.co.uk\/products\/press-in-queen-marking-cage","provider":"Gwenyn Gruffydd Ltd","version":"1.0","type":"link"}