>Kevin in Illinois wrote the following about installing package bees
in cold rainy weather:
 
> I have the same problem as Kevin.  I live in southern Illinois but the weather
> has turned pretty cool.  My bees are at the Post Office and I will pick them
> up this afternoon.  It is supposed to get down to about 40 degrees Farenheit
> tonight with possible showers.  Is is also supposed to be cool this week.
> 50's-60's during the day and in the 40's at night.  Is it OK to hive the
> package or what.  These are my first bees...HELP!
>
 
Here is how I deal with this problem:
 
Package bees can be installed in a garage or other dark building at
night using a red light (which bees do not see) for illumination.
They can be kept in darkness for several days and fed to get them
established in their new home.  Move them outside after they have
started building comb and have some feed stored.  This works nicely
when packages arrive during cold or wet periods.  It allows them to
get in a hive and start working and is much better than holding them
in a cage.  Be sure the holding room is completely dark if you leave
installed bees inside during daylight hours.  I routinely install
package bees this way.  It cuts down on drifting.  Also, packages
installed outside may cluster away from the feeder in cool weather and
starve with a feeder on them.  I do not know why the practice of
installing packages outside persist with the problems of drifting,
clustering away from feed, wind, mud, etc...  As with any other
package bee installation method, it is money well spent to feed the
bees a gallon of syrup medicated with Fumidil-b upon installation.
 
New beekeepers need not worry about bees exhibiting defensive behavior
during package installation at night with red light.  Tape your pant
legs and wear a bee veil.  I rarely get a sting during this type of
installation and all the bees end up in the hive where they belong.
 
Anyone have any variations of this method to share?
 
 
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 *    Marion D. Ellis               Assistant Professor and          *
 *    University of Nebraska        Extension Apiculture Specialist  *
 *    Department of Entomology      email: [log in to unmask]    *
 *    P.O. Box 830816               Phone: 402-472-2125              *
 *    Lincoln, NE  68583-0816       Fax:   402-472-4687              *
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