Queen Marking Pen White
White marking pen for the standard international color rotation. Permanent bee-safe ink.
- White — correct color for years ending in 1 or 6 (2026)
- Permanent, bee-safe ink that stays visible for the queen's lifetime
- Fine tip for precise application to the thorax
What it is
A water-based paint pen in white, used to mark the thorax of a queen bee. White is the color assigned to queens born in years ending in 6 or 1 — 2026, 2031, 2036 — per the international queen color code followed by beekeepers worldwide.
Why mark queens
A marked queen is easier to find on a frame of thousands of bees — the colored dot is visible from across the open hive. A dated mark also tells you exactly how old the queen is, which matters because queen performance drops after the second year and most beekeepers replace queens on a 1–2 year schedule.
The international color code
- White: years ending in 1 or 6 (2021, 2026, 2031…)
- Yellow: 2 or 7
- Red: 3 or 8
- Green: 4 or 9
- Blue: 0 or 5
A queen marked green is from a year ending in 4 or 9 — 2024 or 2029 for example.
Usage notes
Shake well before use. Apply a small dot to the center of the thorax (not the abdomen — bees groom the abdomen more and paint wears off). Let dry for 30 seconds before releasing the queen. One pen marks dozens of queens.
Compatibility
Works with any marking cage. Water-based, non-toxic — safe for the queen and the hive.
