Silicone mould for queen cells

Release method: allow the wax to cool fully, then flex the mould around each cup. Pulling warm wax or trying to lift the whole batch together makes breakage more likely.

01 · PREPARATION

Start with clean wax and measured heat

Prefer clean, settled cappings wax with no visible debris. Beeswax normally melts at about 61–65°C: heat it in a controlled way, without a direct flame, and use only enough heat to obtain a fluid pour that fills the cavities. Keep the mould clean, dry and level on a stable surface.

02 · FILLING

Fill the cavities without disturbing the mould

Pour gradually to avoid overflow and let the wax settle. Do not add water, soap or release agents that could leave residues on the cups. Before making a full batch, test a few cavities to establish a suitable wax temperature, fill quantity and cooling time.

03 · RELEASE AND USE

Remove one cup at a time and attach with little wax

Once fully cold, flex the silicone around each cavity and lift the cup without twisting it. Reject cracked or misshapen pieces. A small amount of molten wax is sufficient to attach each cup to a queen-rearing bar; grafting and normal management of a strong cell-building colony then remain essential.

04 · BEFORE YOU BUY

Check that you need wax cups rather than a specified diameter

The mould makes 20 cups per batch, but this listing does not document their internal diameter or identify a version specifically for Africanised honey bees. Do not assume universal fit: check compatibility with your grafting tool, bar and method. Wax, queen-rearing bars and grafting tools are not included.