Dadant One-Frame Isolator (galvanised) images
Dadant one-frame isolator, made from galvanised steel
An isolator is needed whenever it is necessary to temporarily prevent contact between the queen bee and the worker bees. For example, when replacing an old queen bee with a new one in an established bee colony. For the bees to successfully accept the new queen bee, she must acquire the scent of the hive; otherwise, the bees may treat her as an intruder and kill her. To prevent this, the frame with the queen bee is placed in the isolator, and the isolator itself is placed in the hive. It takes several days for the queen bee to acquire the hive scent. While confined, the queen bee can move freely over the combs and continue laying on them without obstruction.
The isolator can also be used to obtain brood of the same age: you can monitor the egg-laying process and accurately determine the age of the brood. The mesh size prevents bees from entering the isolator and, accordingly, prevents the queen bee from leaving it.
