Bees in 2 days

JackM · April 04, 2012, 09:30:31 AM

Well my time is finally here. Sort of excited, but been so busy with life have not really had time. Please before you give advice note I am in Washington State way north, on the wet side.

Couple questions. How long should I expect to need to use my smoker to install 2 packages? I have lit it but have no idea how much fuel to use.

Make up my syrup before I get the bees or do it fresh? How much syrup should I expect a package to use if the weather is bad and they cannot be inspected nor go foraging? Should I also give them dry sugar?

Transporting my bees from the retailer, I have a 40 mile drive, do I want to use the pickup or are the packages such that I won't have bees flying around while I am driving on the freeway? I really want to just take my car and not the diesel truck.

Thanks folks

ch.cool · April 04, 2012, 09:42:49 AM

Hi, I'm a NewBee too. Got my bees a week ago, had them in my car without any problems, just watch that you don't get any freebees in your car. Put something under the boxes so they don't mess up the car with poop.
No smoker when you install.
You should have your syrup prepared the day you pick them up or the day before.

Ch.cool

FRAMEshift · April 04, 2012, 09:46:28 AM

Quote from: JackM on April 04, 2012, 09:30:31 AM
How long should I expect to need to use my smoker to install 2 packages?

I would not smoke them. They have no hive to defend and are usually not aggressive.

Quote

Make up my syrup before I get the bees or do it fresh? Should I also give them dry sugar?

You want to give them syrup to speed comb drawing. If the temperature is below 50 you might want to heat the syrup or use dry sugar temporarily. Heated syrup would be better. If you make 5:3 syrup you can make it in advance. It keeps for months.

Quote

Transporting my bees from the retailer, I have a 40 mile drive, do I want to use the pickup or are the packages such that I won't have bees flying around while I am driving on the freeway?

I wouldn't put bare packages in the back of the truck. They would be chilled by 60mph winds in cold weather. But I would not put bare packages in the car either because you will have bees buzzing you. (Every package I've ever had leaked bees like crazy.)

You could put them in the back of the truck if you have a tarp to totally protect the bees. Or you could put the packages in some other enclosed container in the car for the trip home. We use 14 gallon Rubbermaid containers, which have many uses for bees (they fit frames and half a dozen one gallon milk jugs). Each one will hold one package. This would be my recommendation. If you don't have something like a Rubbermaid container, just put the packages in a garbage bag and close it up.

I would suggest that you treat the packages with powdered sugar while still in the cage. This will cause them to drop mites before they go into the hive box.

Kathyp · April 04, 2012, 10:28:15 AM

no smoke

ok to make syrup before hand. put on hive at room temp. you won't need dry sugar. they may take a over a quart a day early on, but there's lots of stuff blooming now and they will fly every chance they get.

FRAME is right about the leaking of bees from the packages. if you have a car with a trunk that doesn't go though to the car, that might work...as long as it's not an old car :-D
truck is probably your best bet, but some protection that won't smother them is a good idea.

wouldn't do the PS on a new package. 1. they have probably already been treaded in some way and 2. they are stressed enough without you adding to it.

enjoy your bees!!!

CBEE · April 04, 2012, 11:08:54 AM

Don't need to smoke a new package.
mixing syrup a couple days early will not hurt a thing. What are your day time temps ? This makes a big difference in feeding.
If you are worried about escaping bees in the car then go to the hardware store and get some of the nylon window screen to wrap around the box and secure it.

stella · April 04, 2012, 11:10:22 AM

I am new to beekeeping as of last spring. Installing is a hoot. Mine were very mellow and dumped right in the hive. My son had no gear on and had the camera right in the hive box.
I had the smoker lit but didnt need to use it.
I hauled mine in the back of my van with no escapees. I really like frameshifts idea with the tub but is there enough air for an hours drive?
I sprayed the bee cage lightly with sugar syrup as soon as I picked them up because the feed can that comes with the package was empty. Sprayed again every hour. That gave them something to eat before installation hours later.
I fed sugar syrup made up early that day so it was cooled. Added an extra super over the inner cover to hold it. I used a chicken waterer with a small piece of screen over the hole so they couldnt crawl in and drown. Placed rocks in the tray around the waterer to further prevent drowning.

Good luck!

indypartridge · April 04, 2012, 12:21:58 PM

No smoker needed for installing packages. I recommend getting a spray bottle, putting some sugar water in it, and misting (not drenching) the bees in the package prior to opening it.

I've transported packages and nucs in the trunk of my car several times without any problems.

No dry sugar - that's usually just for emergency dead-of-winter feeding. For new colonies without comb, I feed until they have drawn comb on two deeps (or whatever you're going to overwinter them in).

JackM · April 04, 2012, 03:59:20 PM

Got that, no smoke. Leaky rubbermaid container, copy. Spray with syrup, lightly. Quart a day...wow. Need to go look up the recipie again and get that done. I like the idea in wrapping in screen, which I just happen to have around. Didn't think about too cold in open air in truck... Anything else?

I had planned on the chicken waterers with screen mesh and gravel. Now for some sunny days.....I am so sick of rain and cloudy.

Got it NO SMOKE>

mikecva · April 04, 2012, 05:41:49 PM

You make 1:1 syrup by weight. 1 gal of water is about 8.1+ pounds. So I use 3 full gallons of water to 25 pounds of sugar. This makes about 5 gallons of 1:1 mixture very easily (for me) since I use my turkey fryer that has a pour spout. Someone else might be able to tell you how long you can keep the 1;1 syrup before using it (I go through it fast and have never tried to store it.) -Mike

stella · April 04, 2012, 11:26:01 PM

Jack, yes there is one more thing....record your installation. Set up a camera and record it. It is so interesting to watch when your done and breathing normal again. It will make you chuckle.
Enjoy the one and only first time you will experience this. Heck, bring a friend. Have some beer on ice for afterwards.

"Leaky" rubbermaid container? I must have missed something.

Kathyp · April 04, 2012, 11:49:57 PM

QuoteSomeone else might be able to tell you how long you can keep the 1;1 syrup

not long unless you freeze it. 1:1 will grow mold.

BlueBee · April 05, 2012, 12:40:03 AM

Switch your vehicle suspension setting to smooth :-D

Enjoy your new bees!

CBEE · April 05, 2012, 10:22:34 AM

Jack, What are your day time temps right now ? It makes a big difference in feeding. They wont take cold syrup and it may just set there and mold.

JackM · April 05, 2012, 08:42:25 PM

Well might have a friend record it, but for all I know it will be raining. Pouring and cold as heck today, back down in the 40's. Supposed to be decent Sat and Sun, possibly Fri afternoon.

buzzbee · April 05, 2012, 09:04:40 PM

My wife and I hauled two nucs on a two hour ride last summer.A few bees were loose in the car,but hey it was interesting seeing other peoples reaction! :-D

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As far as syrup,if you fill a quart jar just a little above half with sugar then add hot water to the top,it will work fine. Just stir it vigorously and the cloudy mix will slowly clear.
If it's real cold,don't saturate the bees with syrup

CBEE · April 06, 2012, 10:34:44 AM

Thats how I mix too. I just heat the water in the micro wave and its real quick to mix.

BeesBreeding · April 06, 2012, 10:48:04 AM

So no smoke is needed? good. That mean I could start bringing my bees - I was waiting first for my smoker :/

buzzbee · April 07, 2012, 07:33:53 AM

Jack,
Got them bees yet?

Jim134 · April 07, 2012, 07:55:10 AM

Quote from: buzzbee on April 05, 2012, 09:04:40 PM
My wife and I hauled two nucs on a two hour ride last summer.A few bees were loose in the car,but hey it was interesting seeing other peoples reaction! :-D

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

As far as syrup,if you fill a quart jar just a little above half with sugar then add hot water to the top,it will work fine. Just stir it vigorously and the cloudy mix will slowly clear.
If it's real cold,don't saturate the bees with syrup

I like at :piano: :piano:

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)