Introducing a package of bees!

[histopicker]

It is getting that time of year when new beekeepers are putting package bees into their hives. Here is a short video on how I do this task. If interested please watch.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjoRbWwkPns&list=PLHznDctX4vrfv0nTV-_8MHdJWmTZfho7b

[bk]

Nice job, histopicker.  I love shaking out a new package into a hive.  Have done it in the dark a couple of times with a red headlight.  Sure worked well. 

I was thinking as I watched, with your hives doing so well, why are you doing a package.  Then I saw the posting date.

[Brad H.]

So I assume the top bar hives have no comb built out. How long does it take for the workers to build comb out, and what does the queen do in the meantime?

[histopicker]

Mar 16, 2016 20:48:58 GMT -5 Brad H. said:

So I assume the top bar hives have no comb built out. How long does it take for the workers to build comb out, and what does the queen do in the meantime?

The workers will have some comb built out in three days or so. The queen hopefully just hangs out and waits. Sometimes in these new hives they just leave (abscond) and you are back to nothing.

[histopicker]

Mar 16, 2016 20:46:46 GMT -5 bk said:

Nice job, histopicker.  I love shaking out a new package into a hive.  Have done it in the dark a couple of times with a red headlight.  Sure worked well. 

I was thinking as I watched, with your hives doing so well, why are you doing a package.  Then I saw the posting date.

You caught me! That is an old install. Funny thing that is the colony that is the one that is so strong right now!
Actually I will be installing two packages into my own hives this year. It is risky business allowing queens to open breed here as we have many Africanized feral colonies in the area. Hot hives suck the life out of you.
I hope to do some splits in the next few weeks. My friends had 200 grafts take this week so it is looking good for queens this year.

[rendezvous]

I thought I watched it before, but glad to watch it again, very interesting! I wish that sugar-water worked on ground hornets too! lol

Keep them coming, I'd like to see the whole process to the end product, honey! Bee's wax too...