BEE-L Archives

Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

BEE-L@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
Joel Govostes <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Discussion of Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 4 Apr 1996 07:55:32 -0500
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (28 lines)
In my experience with "recommended" package installation methods alot of
bees end up in the air all confused and not very amicable.
 
The best method I've found which works great is to install a little while
before dusk, when it's still light enough to see well.
 
After feeding the bees with syrup throught the screen (as usual), remove
half the frames from the hive.  Remove queen from package as usual and
check her out, run a nail thru the candy after removing the cork at that
end.  Knock bees to bottom of package and remove cover and can.  Set the
package into the hive in the space you made by removing half the frames.
As the bees start boiling back up out of the package, simply place the
queen cage on top of the package, to the side of the round (can) hole next
to the nearest frame.  You will notice the bees will start converging on
the queen cage once they smell her.  Close up the hive and add feeder.
(Entrance reduced on hive.)
 
5-7 days later open hive, check that queen is no longer in cage, remove
package and replace missing frames.  You might have to gently remove any
natural "burr" comb the bees have built and shake the bees off carefully.
Same goes for any bees still in/on cage.  There probably won't be many.
 
A few days later you should find eggs and larvae.   This method is the
least traumatic and easiest around, and extremely reliable.  You don't end
up with so many dazed, confused bees up in the air settling all over the
place where they might not end up in the hive after all.  Also less
traumatic for the uninitiated beginner.

ATOM RSS1 RSS2