HiveMeadow
Mann Lake Cell Cups for Queen Rearing
Full specification5 entries
Material
Food-grade plastic
Pack Quantity
100 cups per pack
Color
Amber
Cup Diameter
9 mm
Compatibility
JZ-BZ style cell bar frames
Queen Rearing · ranked 36 of 99

Mann Lake Cell Cups for Queen Rearing

Mann Lake · ★★★★☆ 4.4 / 5

Mann Lake's cell cups are a solid, cost-effective choice for beekeepers grafting queen larvae, offering reliable dimensions and good acceptance rates.

  • High queen acceptance rates
  • Reusable and durable
  • Fits standard cell bars
Check price at Amazon

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing and does not affect the score above.

  • Price and stock are set by the retailer
  • Scored from the specification and owner reports
  • No paid placement anywhere on this site
Who it fits
  • Consistent sizing improves grafting accuracy
  • Reusable and easy to clean between rearing cycles
  • High acceptance rates reported by beekeepers
  • !Some users find plastic texture less natural than wax
  • !Cups can be brittle in cold temperatures
Stack it against
The verdict

Mann Lake's cell cups are a solid, cost-effective choice for beekeepers grafting queen larvae, offering reliable dimensions and good acceptance rates. While purists may prefer wax cups, these plastic cups save time and money for both hobbyists and commercial queen breeders.

Bench scorecard

Derived from this product's specification, features and owner reports.

Build 82
Handling 89
Value 93
Lasts 92

Key features

  • Wide-mouth cell cups designed to mimic natural queen cell dimensions
  • Made from durable food-grade plastic resistant to warping
  • Compatible with standard Mann Lake cell bars and grafting frames
  • Amber color mimics natural beeswax to encourage acceptance
  • Sold in bulk quantities (100-count packs) for commercial or hobby use
  • Easy-release design minimizes larval damage during transfer

Living with it

What works

  • Consistent sizing improves grafting accuracy
  • Reusable and easy to clean between rearing cycles
  • High acceptance rates reported by beekeepers
  • Affordable compared to wax cup alternatives
  • Fits standard JZ-BZ style cell bar frames

What to watch

  • Some users find plastic texture less natural than wax
  • Cups can be brittle in cold temperatures
  • Requires separate purchase of cell bars/frames
  • Occasional batch inconsistency in cup depth

The full review

Mann Lake Cell Cups for Queen Rearing give beekeepers a practical, reliable way to graft young larvae into artificial queen cell cups, mimicking the natural cell-building process bees use to raise new queens. Made from durable plastic, these cups are designed to closely resemble the shape and texture of natural queen cells, encouraging worker bees to accept and draw them out fully during the grafting process. Their smooth interior surface makes it easier to transfer delicate larvae without damage, a critical factor in successful queen rearing. Beekeepers looking to expand their hives, replace failing queens, or sell queens to other apiaries will find these cups indispensable for consistent, high-quality results.

Designed with practicality in mind, the cell cups fit standard queen rearing bars and systems, making them compatible with most queen rearing kits already used by hobbyists and commercial beekeepers alike. Their sturdy construction withstands repeated use across multiple grafting cycles, offering excellent value compared to disposable or wax-based alternatives. The cups' design also facilitates easy removal of finished queen cells without damaging the developing queen inside, reducing stress on both the queen and the colony. This attention to functional detail helps improve overall success rates during the queen rearing process, an essential consideration for those serious about improving genetics and productivity within their apiaries.

Mann Lake, a trusted name in beekeeping supplies, ensures these cell cups meet the practical needs of both beginner and experienced queen breeders. The cups are typically sold in bulk quantities, allowing for efficient grafting sessions where multiple queens can be reared simultaneously, saving time and increasing the chances of successful queen production. Their compatibility with standard cell bars and starter/finisher colonies makes integration into existing queen rearing operations seamless. For anyone serious about sustainable apiary management, requeening hives with strong, healthy queens, or selling queens as part of a beekeeping business, Mann Lake’s cell cups offer a dependable, well-designed tool that supports the entire queen rearing workflow from grafting to cell capping.

Check price at Amazon

Compare tray