I have two brand-new hives and two packages of Italians I just picked up yesterday. The weather's a bit chilly here in N. Colorado, so waiting until tomorrow to hive them.
I've read that packages can abscond from a new hive and am wondering if I should put a little lemongrass oil inside the hives before I put the bees in?
Thanks!
-Margaret
Quote from: meashton on April 24, 2013, 04:21:23 PM
I have two brand-new hives and two packages of Italians I just picked up yesterday. The weather's a bit chilly here in N. Colorado, so waiting until tomorrow to hive them.
I've read that packages can abscond from a new hive and am wondering if I should put a little lemongrass oil inside the hives before I put the bees in?
Thanks!
-Margaret
If you use lemongrass oil all you need is a drop or 2 in my experience if you over do did the bees will abscond.
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Hmmm... Maybe should leave well enough alone, then. Thx for the reply.
I like them to be smelling the queen I've got locked up in the cage.
Lemongrass oil is to attract bees, not make them stay. :idunno:
I only use lemongrass oil for newly hived swarms. Works well. I agree that it's best to let them get accustomed to the queen in the cage.
I would say the maximum is four drops. One or two is fine.
Welcome to beekeeping. :cheer:
Feed, feed, feed. The bees will get accustomed to their queen during the feeding. If the workers stop biting on the queen cage you can put a small hole in the sugar plug so the queen can eat her way out. Bees usually do not abscond during this period if you feed them 1:1 sugar water and a pollen patty. You will be feeding for about 4-5 weeks. (never feed when you put honey supers on or your honey might be well above 20% water.) -Mike
Thanks, good advice. Hiving them today! Sugar water is at the ready. :)
I don't have any pollen patties. I guess I should have ordered some? Is that something you get from Mann Lake or Dadant?
-Margaret
Yes both have then. I put half a patty on for the first 3 weeks then a whold patty until I stop feeding. -Mike
Quote from: meashton on April 25, 2013, 04:03:48 PM
Thanks, good advice. Hiving them today! Sugar water is at the ready. :)
I don't have any pollen patties. I guess I should have ordered some? Is that something you get from Mann Lake or Dadant?
-Margaret
don't you have flowers in Colorado?
.
Pay very close attention to them if you use pollen patties. I don't know how your area is with SHB but I haven't used pollen patties in years due to them. As Finski suggests, if there are flowers blooming around you you don't need them anyway.
Scott
don't you have flowers in Colorado?
LOL
LOL - the last of the snow is just melting, but there are a few bulb plants that survived that. Hopefully they'll be okay.
Both packages are hived!