How long can mailed package bees last in the container?

FlexMedia.tv · May 03, 2017, 11:20:53 AM

I'm in a bit of a bind. This year my new company I get my bees from didn't tell me when they shipped them so they are here at the post office today. I can have somebody pick them up but I can't put them in hives until Friday morning early. Anyone experience this before? How long do they stay healthy? Last year when I installed my shipped bees they had plenty of sugar water leftover but I put them in right away.

Thanks,
Art

Hops Brewster · May 03, 2017, 11:37:26 AM

Check the syrup can to see how much they have. As long as they have food and are kept out of direct weather, they should be ok for a couple days.
If they need to be fed, you could get creative. If the cans are light you could punch a hole in the top of the can, funnel in some syrup, then plug the hole.

bwallace23350 · May 03, 2017, 11:51:14 AM

I would not leave them much more than a day or so. The sooner they are installed the better.

FlexMedia.tv · May 03, 2017, 11:57:48 AM

Well that makes me feel a little better if all I have to worry about is food and weather. I have the hives ready to go and I'll be using honey frames from last year for feed.
Thanks for the info
Art

Acebird · May 04, 2017, 09:11:33 AM

This is when you need to be a club member so you could call someone in an emergency. It just takes getting the queen in your hive and letting the bees find her. You (someone for you) has to confirm that the queen is alive or you are on your own for colony survival.

mikecva · May 04, 2017, 12:05:52 PM

i received bees this year and the cans were almost empty upon pickup. If it were me I would give the cages a good spray of sugar water two times a day until I could hive them. If the cans have water in them, no harm done. if not you may just be saving your bees. -Mike

sc-bee · May 04, 2017, 09:20:29 PM

I heard someone mention this in a bee club recently... the response was not specific but went like this. Bee packages from South Ga take trips up north in trucks cages for days. It take time to distribute them and then time for the keeper to install them.

But of course the quicker the better. You never know the age or condition of the bees in the package. When you start seeing a lot of dead bees on the bottom of the cage it is time to make a move. Heck, you don't have a little time at night to put a package over in a box? Remove enough frames in the box, remove queen--hang queen and place open cage of bee in bee box/hive.... done...

So with with all that said, a few days is not an issue.......

Acebird · May 05, 2017, 08:20:34 AM

SC I made the assumption that Art might not be at home.

FlexMedia.tv · May 07, 2017, 09:40:48 AM

I got them in and they look well. I was just surprised this company didn't notify me when they were on the way. My first company emailed me then called me. Oh well. No worries! I have three hives going now with another empty hive and a swarm catcher. Let's hope for the best!

Thanks for the replies,
Art

tycrnp · May 08, 2017, 12:41:54 PM

I am expecting bees next week, but I hadn't thought something like this could happen. Going to be out of town for a day or two, so this is good info. My dog sitter could certainly spray them with sugar water.

This forum is awesome!

FlexMedia.tv · May 08, 2017, 01:46:15 PM

Quote from: tycrnp on May 08, 2017, 12:41:54 PM
I am expecting bees next week, but I hadn't thought something like this could happen. Going to be out of town for a day or two,
This forum is awesome!

FlexMedia.tv · May 08, 2017, 01:48:39 PM

Quote from: tycrnp on May 08, 2017, 12:41:54 PM
I am expecting bees next week, but I hadn't thought something like this could happen. Going to be out of town for a day or two,

This forum is awesome!

I agree. No telling how long it took for them to be mailed it was priority 3 days but the post office said it was longer. The cans were empty but I think I caught them in time. Good luck!

Michael Bush · May 12, 2017, 11:38:38 PM

In perfect conditions (like 70 F and dark and quiet with plenty of food) they can last for weeks. But keep in mind that all of them will be dead in six weeks and the clock is ticking...

FlexMedia.tv · May 13, 2017, 12:17:39 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on May 12, 2017, 11:38:38 PM
But keep in mind that all of them will be dead in six weeks and the clock is ticking...

Speaking of things being dead, all but 2 caretakers in the queen box were dead when I put them. I checked 3 days later and they were all dead, just the queen was alive. Not knowing what to do, I removed the rest of the candy and she crawled in the hive. Don't know what to expect now!

chester5731 · May 13, 2017, 12:24:47 PM

One of my mentors (1000 plus hives since the 80's) told me they have already been in the package with her for several days. Release her and let her get to work.

FlexMedia.tv · May 13, 2017, 09:41:24 PM

Quote from: chester5731 on May 13, 2017, 12:24:47 PM
Release her and let her get to work.

I did. I figured if they were going to beat her up, get it over with. I've heard that if a hive is queen less or if they don't really agree with her that makes a mean hive. I've been stung three times already just trying to get them in. Want to get that over with too!