New Package

[Francus]

My package of Carnis finally arrived....5 weeks late. But that isn't the question.

The girls are in the hive and all seems well, but they are flying all over the yard. The other hive bees seem to either be inbound/outbound at high altitudes or bearding on the hive. They seldom are at person height farther out than 10' from the hive. So far the new arrivals are flying around the yard. All over the place and at people height.

Is this normal? Will they calm down or is that just their style? It has been a couple of hours and the sun is starting to go down. I think most of the newbees are in the hive, but of course I won't open it to find out. Most of them were in there when I put the inner cover on.

Thanks in advance for any insights.....

[BlueBee]

Wow!  You're just NOW getting your package of bees!

Anytime I move new bees into my little bee yard, it is pretty chaotic for a few days until they get accustomed to the place.  I wouldn't worry about it unless your bigger hives are robbing the new comer.  You might need to reduce the entrance in the new hive if there is a dearth down there and robbing is an occurring.  The Italians like to try to take advantage of the Carni's

[iddee]

Just orientation flights. They are learning the neighborhood. They will settle down in a day or two. Watch for robbing while you are feeding them. There's not much flow here now and robbing is a definite possibility.

[JP]

If the queen is caged there is nothing to worry about, they are likely orienting. Reduce the entrance.


...JP

[Francus]

Yes, just now getting them. The place kept being late and coming up with excuses. I ended up getting a local hive a month ago, so I have had them to play with. But they were a hive and didn't do a whole lot when I put them on their stand. And they are super calm bees as it is.

This is late for a package I know, but the supplier has been stiffing a lot of people on their bees and not giving refunds as well. I am just glad I got mine. The supplier has sent out an email to his customers that he is going under and going to do a bankruptcy. Again, as I wasn't going to get my money back, I'm glad I got the bees. Even if it is dangerously late!

[iddee]

If your other hive is strong, I would pull a frame of brood, remove the bees, and add it to the package. Replace it with an empty frame. Be sure all frames are pushed tightly together in both hives, centered in box.

[Francus]

It is super strong. It's the one I got from you. In under a month it has drawn 12 frames foundationless out, and with no feeder on. But they haven't moved any brood into the upper supers, just nectar. ANd they haven't capped any honey except the top 1/3-ish of some of the brood chamber frames.



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[iddee]

AW, C'mon, you know I don't sell nothin' but junk bees......  :roll:

Take a frame of brood, without bees and add to the package. The empty in the strong hive will help them and the frame of brood will boost the package. Be sure a good bit of it is capped brood.