Out of interest - if a Queen were rejected would the attendants be rejected too?

[OzBuzz]

Hey Everybody,

I've been doing a heap (well for a hobbyist it's a lot) of requeening of late - i have 23 hives that i'm currently re-queening. If a queen were going to be rejected would the attendants with her be rejected/killed also?

[AllenF]

Now there's a  question.   I doubt it.   But how would you keep an eye on the attendants to tell them from the other bees?

[OzBuzz]

I would assume most rejection would occur through the cage with the bees stinging - that would mean you'd likely find the queen in the cage wouldnt you and probably dead workers... i'm not 100% sure - i'm just guessing here

[AllenF]

Stingers ain't that long to reach a bee through the cage unless the bee inside was pressed up against the screen and not walking on it.

[AR Beekeeper]

There is as much or more aggression shown toward attendants as there is toward the queen, that is why it is recommended they be removed before introducing the queen.

[Kathyp]

however....i think you'll find that very few of us go to the trouble of removing attendants.  i have never even had anyone recommend it when i have (rarely) purchased queens. 

just don't be in any  hurry to release her.  if they are queenless, they'll take to her and any attendants that are still alive soon enough...