Marc Sevigny wrote:
>
> I installed a 4 pound package last Thursday.  Since then, the weather has been
> quite cold (downright cold at night, with temps in the mid 20sF mostly).
 
I have installed many packages at such temperatures.  My solution to the queen release problem is to
simply release the queen into the newly released cluster.  Of course, here in Alaska it is always at
least two days from the time the bees were shaken.
 
I have never had any problems with queen acceptance.  I would not try that when requeening, but a
package is so disoriented they seem to be willing to accept anything.
 
The advantages of this method: almost immediate laying, a week after installation I have brood almost
ready to cap, plus no burr comb between frames.
 
When I do requeen, by the way, I use flat cages that fit between the frames without leaving extra
space.
> I waited the requisite 5 days before inspecting the hive to verify the queen
> was freed from her cage.
 
>
> 1. Is this normal that she would still be captive after 6 days in the hive?
> Or might this be the result of the cold temperatures keeping the bees inactive
> and not working hard to free the queen?
 
Can't answer this one.
 
> 2.  Last night, I was poking around on the net, and saw an article about
> installing that suggested that workers on the queen cage who hang on tightly
> have most likely not yet accepted the queen.  I got nervous, because when I
> examined the queen cage, it was densely covered with bees.  I tried moving
> them away so I could inspect the queen and verify that she was alive and well.
>  They didn't move away much, and were persistent to keep at her.  Does this
> indeed suggest that they will attack her if she is released?
 
Workers are always attracted to the queen.  I have never seen, in 16 years of beekeeping, package bees
ball a queen after a couple of days of aquaintence.  I suspect they just want her out.
 
> 3.  At what point should I inspect again?  I am worried that if she doesn't
> get out soon, the egg-laying won't commence soon enough to establish a strong
> hive.  It has already been 7 days, and she's still caged.  Should I have
> simply released her?  If so, when should I open the hive again?  I just
> bothered them yesterday.  But the temps are cold again, and will have cold
> rain (in teh 40s) for the next 3 days.  Should I wait?
 
I would release her tomorrow.  Cool weather won't matter for the length of time it takes to pull out
the queen cage and pop the cork.  Be sure to keep the hole covered with your finger until you have the
cage right at the top of the frames.  I have had queens so eager to get out they took off flying before
I could get the cage in position (the exception, but it does happen).
 
-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
"Test everything.  Hold on to the good."  (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
 
Tom Elliott
Eagle River, Alaska
U.S.A.
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