Package install question / Queen question

jgarzasr · May 06, 2014, 11:21:47 AM

One of my package bees I installed had a dead queen. In the past I have just released the queen when installing. So I installed the package on Saturday, and was able to get a new queen that same day- and installed the queen cage. How long before I can open the hive and check to make sure the queen is released and alive?

Bush_84 · May 06, 2014, 11:36:13 AM

In what way did you introduce the new queen? That'd be my biggest concern. Most packages have had a number of days with the caged queen and need no special introduction. Most just put a marshmallow over the hole and the bees release her in no time. In your case the bees were introduced to a brand new queen. They weren't given time to accept her.

jgarzasr · May 06, 2014, 12:01:22 PM

The queen that came with the package bees was dead when I opened it for install. So I installed the package bees into the hive w/ no queen. I was able to run out and buy another queen. Installed the new queen cage. I just wondered if today would be to soon to check on her? that was 3 days ago.

mikecva · May 06, 2014, 12:24:05 PM

Three days is normal. Before releasing her, look to see if the others are biting at the cage or just feeding her. If they are biting at the cage and not willing to get off, I would spray the queen cage with 1:1 so she can eat and they see her as something good. Then in 2 days all should be good and I would do an immediate release or a marshmallow release. -Mike

BeeMaster2 · May 06, 2014, 12:46:36 PM

I agree, 3 days is long enough, I have found a queenless hive, put a queen in the hive in a plastic cage, left it for 45 minutes and came back, checked it and released her with no problem.
Jim

sc-bee · May 06, 2014, 01:23:06 PM

Plenty votes for three days. Just check the cage to make sure she is released. Just remember if she is not released and you decide to release her she can fly and I have had plenty that did..... If she is already relesed just remove the cage put another frame in if needed, close up and let them bee.... pun intended :-D

jgarzasr · May 06, 2014, 02:30:30 PM

Thanks for the replies. Just checked and she has been released. I was just unsure if 3 days was enough time before checking. Thanks again and take care...