New Package of bees

LocustHoney · April 04, 2008, 12:59:57 PM

My son wanted MORE bees for his birthday!!! So we just picked up two packages. I have a question that I need a quick response to. The queen is NOT in the package. She came seperatly in a queen cage. The videos I have seen show the beekeeper removing the sugar wter and then pulling the queen cage out. How will this affect the bees when I dump them in the hive. I have all drawn out comb. Some of the frames have honey. Will they stay or be tempted to fly off and look for a home??? Do I need to put the queen in first??? Help...

dlmarti · April 04, 2008, 01:19:34 PM

Bee Package Install Video Here

I doubt it really matters, but mostly I see people putting the queen in last.

BMAC · April 04, 2008, 01:48:59 PM

when I dump the bees out of the cage, I always jam the queen between two frames first and then dump the bees on top of her. However last time I installed a package I only flipped the package upside down and set an empty hivebody over the package. Put the lid on and went back the next day. Let the girls walk out instead of dumping them out. That has to hurt.... Also dont forget to feed them when you install the package.

LocustHoney · April 04, 2008, 03:03:01 PM

I like that approach BMAC. I may try that. Did any of you put anything other than honey in the comb when you dumped them in???? Eggs...brood...

BMAC · April 04, 2008, 03:16:20 PM

bare comb. I just gave them simple syrup in the feeder. I left the queen in the cage for about 4 days and pulled the cork and let her walk out. No prob.....

LocustHoney · April 04, 2008, 09:04:21 PM

All went well. Due to some rain that was moving in I had to shake the girls and boys in. All in all it was a VERY enjoyable experience and NO stings. The bees were VERY docile. Now on to the next steps!!!! Thanks again for all your help....

Moonshae · April 04, 2008, 09:17:14 PM

Hopefully you didn't get very many drones in your package...

LocustHoney · April 05, 2008, 08:41:37 AM

More than I expected but I didn't have time to count or estimate them due to the weather. I was actually surprised to see the drones because my hives just got them about three weeks ago and I live in a warmer climate than where I picked up the packages.