Sofia Martinez
Opening a plastic bee package requires a specific set of steps to ensure the safety of both the bees and the beekeeper. Bee packages are designed to safely and securely transport bees, and they typically include a wooden or plastic frame, wire screen sides, and a feeder filled with sugar water or sugar syrup. Before opening the package, it is crucial to have the necessary equipment, such as a hive tool, protective gear, and a prepared hive with frames and a feeder. The process involves carefully removing the queen cage, checking her health, and installing her in the hive while allowing the worker bees to get accustomed to her scent or pheromones. The bees are then released into the hive, and the package is placed nearby to encourage any remaining bees to enter.
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the bee package and hive
Preparing the bee package and hive is a crucial step in the bee installation process. Here is a detailed guide to help you prepare:
Prepare the Hive
Before your bee package arrives, ensure that you have all the necessary equipment, including a hive stand, a screened bottom, a single deep hive body, and a feeder. It is important to assemble and position all the equipment in your bee yard beforehand. This includes setting up the hive stand, hive body, frames, and feeder in the desired location. Make sure to wear protective clothing, such as a bee suit, gloves, hat, and veil, to protect yourself from bee stings.
Prepare the Bee Package
When you receive your bee package, it is important to first mist the bees with sugar water to calm them. Gently tap the package on the ground to ensure that all the bees are coated with the sugar water, being careful not to over-wet them. Open the bee package carefully. Using a hive tool, pry open the tabs at the end of the package, being mindful to keep the bees inside. Remove the lid and set it aside, exposing the feeder can containing sugar syrup or sugar water.
Handle the Queen Cage
The queen bee is usually secured in a screened box within the package. Carefully remove the queen cage and set it aside. Check the health of the queen and her attendants. Verify that the queen cage has a candy plug or a marshmallow to keep the queen inside. If there is excess wax on the queen cage, remove some of it.
Create Space for the Bees
Remove three to five frames from the centre of the hive and set them aside. This creates space for the bees to enter the hive and for the queen cage to be installed. Place the honey frames near the edges of the box, followed by the pollen frames. Leave empty drawn frames towards the centre of the box. If using new, undrawn frames, place the prepared frames into the brood box.
Prepare for Installation
Once you have prepared the bee package and hive, you are almost ready for installation. Ensure that the entrance reducer is in place on the smallest opening as the exit. If you have multiple bee packages, separate them by cutting any zip ties and gently pushing them apart. Always work with one package at a time.
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Remove the queen cage
When you receive a package of bees, the queen bee is secured in a screened box with one or two openings, each sealed with a cork. The queen cage is secured to the package frame with a metal or plastic tab.
Before removing the queen cage, you must determine where the queen is within your hive. Every colony works at a different pace. Some queens might be out of their cages and moving around the hive after three or four days, while others will take longer to venture out and begin their royal duties.
Once you know the queen is out and performing her duties, you can take her old cage out of the hive. Make sure there are no stray bees still eating the candy within the cage before you remove it. Take care and be gentle with your honey bees as you pull the cage from the hive. You might have to gently shake the frame or use your bee brush to remove any stragglers.
If the queen is still in her cage, you can release her manually. Check that there is some candy in the cage to keep the queen inside, then remove the cork on the candy side of the cage, leaving the second cork in place. The bees will eat the candy plug, slowly opening the cage to release the queen. This process usually takes between two to six days—during this time, the colony will accept the queen.
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Check the queen
When you receive a bee package, the queen bee is usually secured within a cage to keep her safe during transit. The cage is typically made of wood or plastic with one or two corked or sealed openings. Before installing the bee package into a hive, you will need to remove the queen bee's cage and place her between some frames.
Inspect the queen cage
First, inspect the queen cage to ensure the queen is alive and healthy. Identify which openings of the cage are plugged by a lump of white sugar candy and which are only corked or capped. It is important not to remove the cork on the end without the candy, as the bees will eat the candy to slowly open the cage and release the queen. This process allows the bees to become accustomed to the queen, reducing the chance of rejection.
Check for signs of aggression
Two to three days after installation, check to see if the queen has been released. If she is still inside the cage, look for signs that the worker bees are feeling aggressive towards her. This may indicate that they have not yet accepted her as their queen. You can use the "brush test" to determine their level of acceptance. Gently try to brush the bees away from the screen or mesh on the cage with a gloved finger. If they easily move aside, they have likely accepted her, and you can release her from the cage.
Identify the queen bee
The queen bee can be distinguished by her appearance, specifically her shape and size. She usually has a longer and narrower body than the other bees, with a pointed abdomen, longer legs, and shorter wings that do not reach the end of her abdomen. Her back is typically bald, black, and shiny. Additionally, the queen bee is the only bee in the hive without any duties, as she is fed by the rest of the colony and focuses solely on laying eggs. You may find her in the nursery or near the larvae, as she lays all the eggs in the colony.
Practice spotting the queen
Identifying the queen bee can be challenging, even for experienced beekeepers. To improve your skills, you can play "Queenspotting," where you search for the queen bee in images or real-life hives. By practicing this game, you can develop your ability to spot the queen and boost your beekeeping confidence.
Remember, it is essential to handle the bees and the queen bee with care and to take the necessary precautions, such as wearing protective gear, to ensure the safety of both the bees and yourself.
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Remove the feed can
Removing the feed can is a critical step in the process of installing a package of bees in a hive. It is important to work quickly and efficiently to minimise disturbance to the bees. Firstly, put on protective clothing to ensure your safety. Then, carefully remove the feed can from the package and set it aside. This step requires a gentle touch to avoid spilling the contents of the can and creating a mess. Once the feed can is removed, you will expose an open hole in the package.
At this stage, you can proceed to spill or dump the bees from the package into the hive. This can be done by gently tapping the bottom and sides of the package, encouraging the bees to fall out through the open hole and into the hive. It is normal for most of the bees to fall out during this process. However, some bees may remain in the package. If this occurs, you can place the nearly empty package at the hive opening, and any remaining bees will eventually enter the hive.
It is important to note that the removal of the feed can is just one part of the larger process of installing a package of bees. There are several additional steps that must be followed correctly to ensure the safety of the bees and the success of the installation. These steps include preparing the hive by removing and replacing frames, installing the queen cage, and providing adequate feeding and care after installation.
Additionally, it is worth mentioning that there are different types of feeders available, such as frame feeders, pail feeders, in-hive feeders, and top feeders. The type of feeder used may impact the specific steps involved in removing the feed can and installing the bees. Always refer to the specific instructions provided with your bee package and feeder for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Install the bee package
Installing a package of bees can be intimidating for new beekeepers, but with the right preparation and knowledge, you can successfully get your bees settled. Here is a step-by-step guide to installing a bee package:
Prepare Your Equipment
Before your bee package arrives, ensure you have all the necessary equipment ready. This includes a hive stand, a screened bottom, a single deep hive body with wooden frames, a feeder, and protective gear such as a bee suit, gloves, and a veil. It is also recommended to have pollen substitutes and bee feed on hand. Assemble and position all the equipment in your bee yard, and ensure your protective gear is cleaned and ready.
Prepare the Bees
When you receive your bee package, you will notice it consists of a wood frame with wire screen sides. The package will contain a can of sugar syrup or sugar water, which serves as food for the bees during transit. Before beginning the installation, mist the bees with sugar water or sugar syrup. This helps calm the bees and prevents them from flying during the process. Gently tap the package on the ground to ensure all the bees are coated with the sugar mixture.
Remove the Queen Cage
The queen bee is typically secured within a screened box or cage, separated from the worker bees. This cage is usually attached to the package frame with a metal or plastic tab. Using a hive tool, carefully lift this tab and remove the thin wood panel from the top of the package. Gently pull out the queen cage and set it aside in a safe, protected space. Verify that the queen is alive and healthy, and remove any excess wax from the cage.
Install the Bees
Now it's time to install the bees into your hive. Remove three to five frames from the center of your pre-assembled hive to create space for the bees. Turn the bee package upside down and gently shake it to help the bees fall into the hive. You may need to strike the sides of the package to encourage the bees to move into the hive. Don't worry if a few bees remain in the package; simply place the mostly empty package near the hive entrance, and the remaining bees will join the colony.
Install the Queen
After most of the bees have entered the hive, it's time to install the queen. It is recommended to leave the queen in her cage for a few days, allowing the worker bees to get accustomed to her pheromones or scent. Some queen cages have a candy plug or a cork that needs to be removed to release the queen. If there is no plug, you can use a mini marshmallow to seal the opening temporarily. Place the queen cage between two frames in the center of the brood box, securing it with an elastic band or by pushing it into the wax.
Final Steps
Once the queen's cage is secured, replace the frames you removed earlier, ensuring proper spacing between them. Put the hive cover back on, and your bee package installation is complete! Check on the queen after three to five days to ensure she has been released from her cage. If she is still inside, manually release her by pulling back the plastic tab or removing the remaining cork, allowing her to walk out onto a frame. Marking the queen with a safe marker will help you locate and monitor her in the hive.
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Frequently asked questions
Put on protective clothing and have your hive tool ready. Open the bee package by prying open the two side tabs.
Mist the bees with sugar water to calm them. Remove the can of sugar syrup and set it aside.
Using the hive tool, lift the tab holding the queen cage in place. Remove the cork on the candy side of the cage, leaving the second cork in place.
Place the queen cage between two frames and use the pressure of the frames to hold it in place.
