Sunday, April 29th, 2007...6:54 am
Hiving Packages
Hiving Two Packages I got two packages today from Tim Bueler down in Snohomish. They are both Italian bees and queens.I brought them down at about 7:00pm to the spot at the farm where I am putting them. I sprayed them two separate times with Sucrocide to kill any mites that might be on them. Then I brought one box per packages down to the area. Everything went well and I now have two hives more than I did yesterday. I am going to outline the process to hiving a package for those that have never done it before.1. When you get the package, place it in a cool shady place for a few hours to let them calm down.2. Try to hive them in the late afternoon. That way they will not be as active and are easier to handle.3. Get the boxes and tools ready to go and bring them down to the place where you will hive the bees.4. Open up the hive box, take the four middle frames out, (you can take four from anywhere, I just like the middle)5. Then firmly take the package that is going in that hive box, and shake it HARD downward. That way the bees fall to the bottom. 6.
hiving-packages-04-28-07-004.jpg (Click this link to see the picture)
7. Then put the queen right next to the entrance of the hive.8. Now take the Jar out and put it next to the entrance of the hive.9. Now that the top of the hive it open, turn it upside down and shake the bees into the gap where the four frames where.10. After you have shook out as many bees as you can, then put the package next to the front of the hive facing the opening. They will find their way in to the hive. 11. Now take the queen cage, (this next part you need a Marshmallow for) and take out the cork very carefully and slip in a piece of Marshmallow that is the size of the opening. That allows the bees to chew the queen out. (Sadly, I forgot to do that, and will have to go release her in about 2-4 days)12. Now take the queen and get a frame that you took out. There are two ways you would do this next part. 1. If you have all new foundation, you will need to use the wire and wire the cage to the top of the frame. 2. If you have drawn out comb then you would take the cage and press it slightly into the wax with the screen facing alongside the frames, then place the other frames back in.13. Now wait a few minutes until the bees are getting settled, then put the lid on the hives. You will want to feed them for a while, until they can build up enough stores.Now do the same for the rest of the packages.End Result! (Almost, just need to put the lids on) Click for larger photo.
And just as a treat, since you read this, here is a macro I took of one of my bees. Cute little thing, ay?
Click on it for a bigger picture.
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