Beginner's installation and foundation questions

[jester7891]

Hi! I have some more beginner’s questions â€" thanks for all your input and expertise. I have two deep supers and three shallow 5 3/8 supers for each bee hive that I have purchased secondhand. I will be receiving my first two sets of bees in approximately five weeks (New Jersey/Pennsylvania border on the Delaware River, zone six).  I have read a number of books on how to install the bees and I have watched a number of short movies (on You Tube and other web sites) explaining how to put the bees in.  Do I start off with one super only or do I place the bees in the second/upper super.  If I start off with only one super, when do I add the second super? When do I add the shallow supers?  I also purchased the crimped wire wax foundations.  While putting some of these foundations in, I have mistakenly made small holes/tears (a few millimeters in diameter) in the foundation.  Is this going to be a problem and do I need to replace these foundations? Do you think that a beginner can install the bees by him/herself the first time?  Thanks, Jester.

[sean]

Start off with 1 super. When they have drawn out 7-9 frames add the 2nd super. You may have to bait that 2nd super by moving 1 or 2 of the drawn frames from the 1st super and placing them/it in the 2nd one. The holes in the foundation wont be a problem for the bees

[Brian D. Bray]

Let me clarify.

When hiving a package of bees use 1 box only, hang the queen cage between the frames close as possible to the center.  With foundation (no comb) there will be plenty of room to hang the queen cage with the frames pushed together.  Make a small hole in through the fondant closed end witha toothpick or small nail so the bees can eat their way into the cage quicker.  Place that end up so dead attendent bees will not block the exit preventing the queen from getting out.  Pour or shake the rest of the bees over the frames and into the box.  Put on the inner cover, then and empty super and place your feeding pail over the hole.  Or if using frame feeders install it in place of 1 or 2 (depending on style) of the frames on one side of the box.

Leave them alone for 3-4 days and then check to make sure the queen has escaped from the cage--if not release her manually.  Once the bees have drawn out 7-8 frames into comb then consider adding your 2nd brood box.  Follow that same procedure for adding supers later on.  You may feed during the time it takes to draw out the 1st box full of frames.  After that it should be left to the bees until after labor day when you should check to make sure they have adequate stores for winter--2 full deeps or 3 medium boxes 80-90% full of honey and pollen.

[Michael Bush]

The more crowded they are at first the easier time they will have getting enough heat to make wax and raise brood.  I would start with one box only.  I would direct release the queen into the box so she can get started laying.