My first installation of bees!!!

stella · May 04, 2011, 11:31:47 PM

Hi everyone.
I got my first ever bees on Monday and installed them that evening. They were so very, very docile and kind to us. (I was SO nervous)They poured in the hive obediently and my son was there taking pics, without protective clothing...camera and face in the hive! The experience was second to none!
My queen had no candy. I took out the cork and she plunked right in the bottom of the hive. Is that OK?
I placed a chicken waterer filled with sugar syrup in a separate super on top. (Their feed can was empty) I did as directed here and covered the opening of the waterer with screening and placed rocks in the bin to prevent drowning. Crumpled news paper in the top box so they dont build comb there by the waterer. Am I still on track?
I cant stay away, I sit on the deck with binoculars watching the action. I sneak up to the hive and put my ear to it in the early morn and late evening. I see the bees going in and out. They were exploring my yard the day after hiving them, they landed on my clothes as I rested in the sun and my turkeys tried to catch them . This is all so very exciting.
Whats my next move and when do I make it?

Kathyp · May 05, 2011, 12:25:22 AM

sounds like you did fine. leave them alone for a few days, i'd give them a week, then check for signs that your queen is doing her thing. if your weather is good, you can put that feeder outside the hive and save yourself some burr comb, but if you want to leave it in, it should be OK.

stella · May 05, 2011, 09:49:13 AM

Thank you!
How do I know if the queen is doing her thing?

ziffabeek · May 05, 2011, 09:50:06 AM

Yay, Stella! I believe you have caught the 'bug' so to speak! :D I was exactly the same when I first got my hive. I'd wake up early just so I could go sit in front of the hive for 15 minutes before work and just watch them! I used to (ok I still do) hug my hive on occasion because I love them soo much and just wish I could pet them! (ok, so I learned at Bud 3 I can pet them - a little :) ) They are sooo cool! Then I'd spend hours on this forum just reading. There is so much cool information here. Then I'd go sit and watch them again in the evening. It amazed me how close I could get my face to the entrance to peer at them and how incredibly sweet they are.

What should you do next? Get another (or a few more) hives! When should you do it? As soon as possible! :D

Welcome to the ward! And congratulations!

love,
ziffa

VolunteerK9 · May 05, 2011, 09:52:28 AM

Some queens begin laying within a couple of days of installation other may take up to 2 weeks. You will be looking for eggs and larvae the next time you open it up for a brief inspection. Like Kathy said-give it at least a week before you decide to go back in.

ziffabeek · May 05, 2011, 09:52:53 AM

Look for eggs in the comb. Hold the comb so the sun is behind you and shines into the cells and look for tiny tiny white specks in the bottom of each cell. they are the shape of rice but much smaller. They can be hard to see. If you don't see eggs, wait a few more days and look for larva. I didn't see my queen for 3 months, but I got good at spotting eggs. It takes time to find the queen and I am still not so good at it. She surprises me more than I 'find' her. :)

Yeah- as V9 and Kathyp said, give her time before you panic.

love,
ziffa

phil c · May 05, 2011, 02:22:45 PM

Sounds like you did alright!
Welcome to the madness!

I keep a lawn chair by the hives and I will sit there for hours just watching the do Bee things! Its a great getaway to have a cigar and a cold drink.

stella · May 05, 2011, 03:16:37 PM

I love this madness!!! Lock me up!!!....I always knew I belonged in a ward of this spectacular magnitude!

You guys are the best. I can slowly go forward with your gracious help.

Course Bee · May 05, 2011, 05:31:59 PM

Good job Stella.

stella · May 05, 2011, 11:51:36 PM

Thanks coursebee.
Did your installation go well? Did you get them through the association?

Shanevrr · May 05, 2011, 11:59:20 PM

yess, very much addictive, installed mine almost 3 weeks ago, and i love it. Im also scared of my addiction. when I go I go big and all the way.

tillie · May 06, 2011, 12:09:42 AM

My take on watching the bees:

http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/2011/05/beekeepers-lunch.html

Course Bee · May 06, 2011, 05:00:35 PM

Yes, The installation went very well finished about 8:00pm Monday evening and they were flying alot on Tuesday. Yes I ordered through the Association/ Natures Nectar. I released my queens right away instead of doing the slow release. I assume they were with the packages for three days or more coming from California. The Minnesota Hygienics were already building comb around the feed can and it was empty when I installed so I'm glad I didn't wait.