new style enclosure for packages

[drobbins]

Hey Folks,

I'm getting some packages this weekend and the pics from the suppliers website show a new style plastic package
Seems I read somewhere they are better because the openings are large enough the bees can chase beetles out
My question is about the queen cage
All I have experience with is the wooden cages with the candy plug in one end
I think the new packages might be different
Any good tips I should be aware of?

Thanks
Dave

[drobbins]

looking at the pic from the suppliers website, I see the new style package is called a "Bee Bus"
several videos on the web about them

[van from Arkansas]

Hi Dave, I don?t know about the bee bus.  Just wanted to say when you install a package add a frame of brood and a frame of food if you have the frames.  The brood locks the package in and they are not likely to abscond.  In the past I have bees from several packages and I have never had an abscond.
Good luck.

[drobbins]

I'm gonna give em each a frame of food
I've probably installed a dozen packages before and never given them anything and never had a problem
of course, it's never a problem till they fly away

[TheHoneyPump]

Plastic package?   I would at first be wary, until seen how well they are constructed.  Plastic cracks, particularly in cool weather.  Bees come out of cracks.  Usually at the most inconvenient moments.

If you are talking about a plastic nucleus box, cor-plast, that is a whole different thing.

Can pictures of one be posted?

[drobbins]

I don't know, never seen one for real
just pics on the suppliers website
looks like injection molded to me
I think they're becoming common
I'll find out Saturday

[iddee]

They are much better than the wood ones. I have used them for several years and never had a crack or other failure. We brought in 500 packages last year and had very few dead in the bottom. Better ventilation then the wood/screen boxes. The queen in caged and is installed in the top of the package where they can smell her, but you can remove her and install in the hive without releasing any bees. You can check her when you pick up the package and get a replacement right then if you find a problem with her. We are picking up 250 packages in the bee busses tomorrow and another 250 in mid-april. No more screen boxes for us.

[Acebird]

How about a link.

[drobbins]

is a link to a suppliers site ok?
some forums are picky about such stuff
I'll remove it if it's not

https://beezneedz.com/product/3-lb-package-italian-bees-w-mated-queen-marked/

[iddee]

Yes, as long as the supplier or their rep doesn't post it. A question can be answered by a member with a link to a supplier.

[drobbins]

I went a read the rules
"as long as it doesn't put money in my pocket"
suppliers tend to take money out of my pocket

[BeeMaster2]

Even suppliers can post a link but only in their profile footer, not in the text section.
Jim Altmiller