Chinese Retractable Grafting Tool (Twin Pack)

Two proven grafting tool designs in one pack — because every queen rearer works a little differently.

Grafting is the make-or-break moment in queen rearing: lift a 12–24 hour old larva from its worker cell and place it into a queen cell cup without bruising it, and you've got a shot at a strong, well-accepted queen. Get it wrong, and the colony rejects her. The Chinese-style grafting tool has become the go-to choice for beekeepers worldwide because its spring-loaded, retractable tongue lifts the larva on its own cushion of royal jelly — no squeezing, no pinching, no drama.

This twin pack gives you two different tongue designs so you can find the one that suits your hand, your eyesight and your grafting style, or simply keep a spare on hand for when the first one's mid-clean.

Why Beekeepers Rate the Chinese Grafting Tool

• Gentle on larvae – the flexible retractable tongue slides under the larva and lifts it with its royal jelly intact, so nurse bees accept it as if it were laid there naturally
• Higher acceptance rates – properly used, expect noticeably better take-up than with rigid metal grafting needles
• Faster grafting – once you've got the technique down, you can move through a full bar of cells in a single session
• Easier to learn – forgiving on beginners, with most new grafters getting usable results within their first few sessions
• Two tongue styles, one pack – compare designs side by side and settle on your preference, or use one for larger larvae and the other for the smallest, trickiest grafts
• Compact and portable – slips easily into your queen rearing kit or hive tool pouch

How It Works

Hold the tool at a shallow angle and slide the retractable tongue gently under the larva. Lift it clear of the cell along with its film of royal jelly, then position the tip over the queen cell cup and press the plunger to release. The spring-loaded mechanism does the delicate work for you — nothing pinches or squeezes the larva at any point.

What's In the Pack

• 2 x Chinese-style retractable grafting tools (two different tongue/handle designs)
• Compact storage case

Specifications

Care Tips

Rinse with warm water after every use, dry with a soft cloth, and store flat to protect the tongue tip. Avoid harsh chemicals or boiling water, which can warp or weaken the flexible tip over time. Many queen rearers like to keep a couple of spares in rotation — which is exactly what this twin pack is built for.

Pairs Well With

Round out your queen rearing setup with plastic queen cell cups, cell bar holders, a queen marking pen, and an isolation cage — all available in BuzzBee's Queen Rearing range.