Many beekeepers around the United States consider ordering a package of honeybees the only way to get a hive set out . Whether you live far from other beekeepers , are just starting out , or live in an urban circumstance with no apiary nearby , a packet is an easy - to - ship and compact starter kit with everything you need to start proceed bees the very day they get .
While packages of bee have their drawbacks ( and are not the only way to start an apiary ) , they ’re fairly straight and most easy approachable . They come in several size , too . If you enjoin your software package with plenteous time and have communicated with the beekeeping provider ship’s company that provides it , you will get notified of the shipment of your package and can make the necessary arrangement to live with it upon arriver .
Here ’s what to do when they arrive . I advocate to have a bee mentor or experienced apiarist with you for the initiation , but it is not necessary if you ’ve practiced and find comfortable around bees .
1: Wait for Sunshine
Packages must be installed in good weather condition . If pelting is in the prognosis , simply wait . you could spray your package with sugar water ( 50/50 constitutional white sugar and distilled or leap water ) to keep the bee fed and hydrated .
2: Get Started
Have your woodenware and hive equipment coiffe up in the positioning you want them , and remove four to five frames from the box where you will set up them . light up your smoker . Have a spray feeding bottle of sugar water handy , and give the bee a light misting . Remove the lid and bird feeder can from the computer software ingress . Gently but steadfastly bump the package box to settle the bees away from the entrance and queen cage .
3: Remove the Queen Cage
You ’ll find a little cluster ballock of bee hanging onto the cage , and this is good . They should go with the queen . supersede the lid to the package so the continue bees stay in topographic point . see the queen to make trusted she is alert and well .
4: Install the Queen Cage in the Hive
First , hit the cork from thecandy end only . This allows the queen time to jaw her way out of the cage and make a smooth modulation into the beehive after you ’ve discharge installation . There are several fashion to deploy the queen cage . First , you could tie it to a skeleton with a galosh band . Second , some beekeepers care to cut out comb and wedge it into a shape . However you choose to establish the queen cage , call back that you ’ll finally need to withdraw it .
5: Return to the Package and the Bulk of the Bees
pack it over to the hive , remove the lid once again , and firmly but carefully stir the bees down into the candid disruption in the beehive . Do this withgusto(but without hurting the bees ) just a few times , so as to not irritate or untune the bee . test to get the majority of the bee into the beehive . They now start send off out pheromones to the other bees to get them know they ’ve located the pansy . This is why it is critical to put in the queen cage first .
6: Carefully Close the Hive
Do n’t interest if you do n’t remove all of the bee from the parcel . Leave the package corner very close to the hive , and the remaining bees will find their way in by smelling the pheromone released by their sisters .
7: Feed Your Bees!
Your new bees will have no coxcomb , dearest , brood , stored pollen or even nectar to turn into honey . You must bung them . Keep them well fed . Then , do notconduct inspections for at least one week after installation . This is also very important . Keep the feeder full , but do not commove the bee . They must crop to have their young queen .
8: Check on the Queen
One week after installation , hold to see that your bee have put out the queen , accepted her , and that she has begin laying . It ’s important to find the queen and observe signs of her fertility in this inspection , because if she is not there , you still have clip to install another queen and redeem the bees ( and your investiture ) . A happy beehive has forager bee coming to and fro with pollen , house bees edifice comb , and lots of eggs and brood begin to mature .
