JZ BZ Push in Cell Protector
Push-in plastic cage that surrounds a capped queen cell. Prevents virgin queens from destroying neighboring cells.
- Protects individual queen cells in a finishing frame from virgin queens
- Push-in design — no tools needed
- Allows attendant bees to continue caring for the protected cell
What it is
A push-in queen cell protector from JZ's BZ's — a plastic cage you press directly into drawn comb to surround a queen cell and the area around it. Protects the cell during the last days before emergence and gives the virgin a small space of comb to emerge into.
What it's for
When you're introducing a queen cell directly to a queenless nuc or colony — rather than managing cells in a cell-builder frame — a push-in protector goes over the cell in the recipient colony's comb. Bees can feed the emerging queen through the mesh, but no worker can tear down the cell, and no virgin can be balled immediately on emergence.
Push-in vs. top-bar
Push-in is for installing cells into existing colonies; top-bar is for managing cells in a cell builder. Most queen rearers keep both on hand — different jobs, different tools.
Usage notes
Install the protector a day or two before the cell's expected emergence date. After the queen emerges, leave the protector in place for 24 hours so she can mature before removing it. Remove the protector within 48 hours of emergence so she can move freely and start mating flights.
