putting bees in hive

colbees · April 11, 2012, 10:43:50 PM

Does anybody have a good technique on putting bees in hive?

AllenF · April 11, 2012, 11:05:04 PM

Dump them in there.

schawee · April 12, 2012, 12:21:48 AM

i like to put the queen in the hive and dump the bees in front and enjoy the march.

ShaneJ · April 12, 2012, 12:59:09 AM

Quote from: schawee on April 12, 2012, 12:21:48 AM
i like to put the queen in the hive and dump the bees in front and enjoy the march.

I imagine this would prevent bits and bobs that were sucked on in the beevac from being dumped in the hive also.

FRAMEshift · April 12, 2012, 07:53:23 AM

Caged queen in first. Then give the package several hard shakes to dump the bees in. Put the package on the ground near the entrance for a few hours. Then move the package totally out of the area so residual pheromones don't attract bees back. After you remove the queen from her cage, get rid of the cage she came in.

AliciaH · April 12, 2012, 11:25:29 AM

A piece of plywood leaning up against the entrance helps. Gives you a nice solid surface to dump the residual bees from the box onto. The bees have an easier time (and its more fun to watch) when there's a straight march from the plywood to the entrance and they don't get lost in the grass.

mikecva · April 12, 2012, 03:02:05 PM

There are several videos on you tube. One is: Installing Package Bees.wmv I would suggest watching several and take the average. -Mike

NJClydeDriver · April 12, 2012, 03:48:30 PM

Just did 3 this week, very easy. Agree with Mikecva, Watch a few youtube videos and you will see a few different ways, then do what you are good with. I didnt spray mine down with sugar water cause it was a very cool day but if it was warmer I would have. I didnt want to get them all chilled so I put the queen package between the 5th and 6th frames squeezed near the top and dumped the package right on top of her. Within 2-3 min they were all in on the rest of the frames and getting around the queen to keep her warm. @ days later I checked them, let the queen out and all is good.

D Coates · April 12, 2012, 04:56:25 PM

IF you have a frame or 2 of open brood that you can give them in the process of introduction. It will help the hive to minimize the post introduction population drop or a package obsconding ($100 just flew away

). Not sure if it helps with queen acceptance but I can't see how it would hurt.

Stinger · April 14, 2012, 04:37:07 PM

Check this installation video out. Is that a familiar face? :)
Beemaster's Installing honeybees Method