New Package Fun

ZuniBee · April 05, 2007, 05:34:12 PM

Hey Mark - I don't know about your part of VA but we have pollen everywhere! Cars are covered with it. Maybe they were getting pollen and nectar from outside the hive.

I can see now that I am going to have to develop some patience.....or I will be worried and looking all the time! 3 more days.....

MarkR · April 05, 2007, 05:36:44 PM

So I guess I'm just overly worried, then. That's good.

Mark

Brian D. Bray · April 05, 2007, 07:44:59 PM

When Installing packaged bees: Place empty super on top of hive body with frames. Place feeder full of syrup to one side of super atop frames. Remove queen cage and place between a couple of the frames, screen side down. Invert package of bees alongside of feeder. Put on top and leave them alone for 2 days. On 3rd day remove empty cage and refill feeder. If you wish you can replace some of the frames in the super or even add more feeders.
The bees exit the cage in their own time will little or no stress. The beekeeper doesn't get stung because he's not agitating the bees.

AllanJ · April 05, 2007, 08:44:35 PM

Quote from: Brian D. Bray on April 05, 2007, 07:44:59 PM
The beekeeper doesn't get stung because he's not agitating the bees.

I beg to differ.. :)
It was educational in a way. I always wondered if bees landed on you like flies and other bugs and then stung you. I found out within 5 seconds of emptying the package that they fly at you at full speed and the first item to come into contact with the skin is the sharp end..

Jerrymac · April 07, 2007, 01:14:40 AM

Quote from: AllanJ on April 05, 2007, 08:44:35 PM
I found out within 5 seconds of emptying the package that they fly at you at full speed and the first item to come into contact with the skin is the sharp end..

But Brian said, "Invert package of bees alongside of feeder"...... Not empty the bees out of the cage.

buzzbee · April 07, 2007, 06:49:25 AM

And if the feeder can is empty when you remove it,cover the hole and mist the bees with sugar water until they get their fill and calm down.hungry bees agitate more quickly.

Michael Bush · April 07, 2007, 10:09:42 AM

Personally I've tried many ways and I'd rather shake them all into the hive. The shaking sets of Nasanoving which helps get them together, it also gets them all out of the package and doesn't leave excess space they can build wild comb in.