Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Simondsrach on March 08, 2017, 05:12:53 pm
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So I'm watch videos. Preparing myself. I won't lie I'm nervous ... just watched a video where a guy just took out five frames from one end and set the box of bees down into it. He didn't have any video of going back and taking the box out and putting the frames in ... I'm just wondering why every body shakes and dumps bees if there is no down side to just putting the box of bees into the hive and removing it later
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That is they way it has been taught for a long time.
Try putting it in the hive and see what happens. Do not leave it in more than a day or so.
They may start building wax in it.
Jim
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Remove queen and install her and cage between two frames. Set the bees down in the hive after removing 5 frames. Leave the top open so they can get out. Go back the next morning, smoke them, remove bee cage and install remainder of the frames. If some bees still in cage, set next to entrance with opening up. They will find their way in. Go back in 4 to 7 days and if she hasn't been released, then open queen cage and let her out. Be careful she doesn't fly away. If so, stand perfectly still and she will return to you or the hive.
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Beemaster has a you tube video on how he done it. I believe he removed the staples and wood from the side of the package then just gently poured them in. It's been a while since I saw it so that may not be entirely accurate.
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I just popped the lid and shook them. Not sure if that is the right way but it worked
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I would shake them in... but if you really insist on not doing that, then add an extra box on the bottom to put the cage in. The cluster will go to the top (assuming the queen is there) and the next day (not any later than that) remove the bottom box and the empty cage.
Dos, Don'ts and some videos of installing packages:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beespackages.htm
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I would shake them in... but if you really insist on not doing that, then add an extra box on the bottom to put the cage in. The cluster will go to the top (assuming the queen is there) and the next day (not any later than that) remove the bottom box and the empty cage.
Dos, Don'ts and some videos of installing packages:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beespackages.htm
Thisshould work well,especially in a cooler climate like waverly.
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So if I take an empty bottom box , I put the box of bees in that , opened up , and than another bottom box onto that with the frames in it .... where should I put the queen. ... I think I'm probably just going to end up shaking them in because that seems to just be the method tried and true.
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You would want to put the queen cage between two frames in the upper box. The other bees should move up to keep her warm and tend to her.If you are comfortable with it, go ahead and shake them out. Some are intimidated doing this, but it's not that bad. :)
Just be sure to decide on your feeding options and be ready with that when you install your bees. Not sure when you are going to receive your package, but if it's still cool and nothing in bloom, you will need to provide them syrup until they get established.
Here is John, Beemasters founder installing a package in his hive: https://youtu.be/5a4a-Tw-qFI
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I know a guy who keeps bees up the road and he doesn't feed his bees. So initially I didn't plan on feeding mine ... the more I read and learn the more I think I should. My hive kit came with an entrance feeder but researching I think the external top feeder with the jars is probably my best option. ... every video I watch or arrival I read someone's doing something different... I've stepped into this blind. Not knowing a thing until I read beekeeping for dummies and joined this forum. I just want to have an idea of what I'm doing and do it right 😉
Ty so much for taking the time to mentor this anxiety ridden newbie
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I know a guy who keeps bees up the road and he doesn't feed his bees. So initially I didn't plan on feeding mine ... the more I read and learn the more I think I should. My hive kit came with an entrance feeder but researching I think the external top feeder with the jars is probably my best option. ... every video I watch or arrival I read someone's doing something different... I've stepped into this blind. Not knowing a thing until I read beekeeping for dummies and joined this forum. I just want to have an idea of what I'm doing and do it right 😉
Ty so much for taking the time to mentor this anxiety ridden newbie
I would feed until they started capping some nectar. Once they are established you might not have to feed but to get them established you need to feed.
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One other thing . . . .
Relax.
There are lots of ways to do any single beekeeping function (splits, requeening, hiving packages, etc) and everyone will swear their method is the best. Bees are tough little critters and make allowances for many a beekeepers mistakes.
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I'm just wondering why every body shakes and dumps bees if there is no down side to just putting the box of bees into the hive and removing it later
The only package I got had three combs started. Why would they leave? Because it takes a while to go from CA to PA and then to NY the bees already spent time with the queen caged in the box. I just pulled the cork and candy and let the bees have at their queen that they were preparing for. I threw the can of syrup away and gave them two or more frames of honey and away they went. The hive grew to 5 medium boxes, two were solid honey and then crashed in August.
BTW the queen looked horrible to me. Looked like a skinny virgin. I don't think it was because it wouldn't be able to expand as fast as it did.
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Shaking bees into a hive is a lot of fun. Try it!
On the cool scale it's a 10/10.
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I know I need to relax ... I just can't help it ... I get obsessive. This is something I've been wanting to do for four years and now that I have a hive in my living room and bees on reserve for may the reality of my lack of knowledge is setting in ... the internet is great ... endless amounts of information It's just all so different. .... this forum is a saving grace I will tell you...
so my hive is a langstroth I bought a kit with two large and two medium. Will I need to purchase more boxes ... one to enclose the bee package if I decide not to shake and another one to enclose the jar top feeder... or can I some how use the super and brood boxes I have as a feeder and bee release box ... ive got over 300 invested in the hive already... I will buy more boxes if I need to but I'd like to avoid the exspense until necessary
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Install the bees in one box only. Feed any way you want, but with a package rather than a swarm, you do need to feed until the flow begins. No need to buy more equipment. The guy that doesn't feed probably catches swarms, buys nucs, or makes splits. Then feeding is not mandatory. With packages, it is.
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Simondsrach
With two deeps and two mediums, you have enough boxes. Just take the frames out of the boxes that you have. A deep box to enclose the package(If you go that route) and a medium box for your feeder jar.
jvalentour
I would say 9/10 only because you need to wear some protection. Standing in the middle of a swarm when they are starting to gather would be 10/10 for me. No protection needed.
One other thing . . . .
Relax.
There are lots of ways to do any single beekeeping function (splits, requeening, hiving packages, etc) and everyone will swear their method is the best. Bees are tough little critters and make allowances for many a beekeepers mistakes.
Agreed
Ask 10 beekeepers the same question. Get 11 answers. 9 of which are correct(there's always that one oddball).
Do what you are the most comfortable with. The bees will do the rest.
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I've done all my shakes with no gear on. It. Was. Awesome. You'll do fine. I'm betting you won't be able to stop smiling for a long time.
+1 on the comment that you'll get a bunch of different answers here. There are lots of ways to do things and it's art as much as science.
Trust yourself. Do what makes sense to you.
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The only thing that two out of three beekeepers agree on is.., the third one is wrong.
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endless amounts of information It's just all so different.
So how does one do dished? endless amounts of information that's all so different.
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The only thing that two out of three beekeepers agree on is.., the third one is wrong.
That not right ! . . . . .. . :happy: Just kidding!
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The guy that doesn't feed probably catches swarms, buys nucs, or makes splits. Then feeding is not mandatory. With packages, it is.
It kinda depends on where you are and timing. No matter where you are beekeeping depends on timing. If you can learn the timing it gets easy and you will be successful. You can only be an expert in your area no matter how long you have been keeping bees. Bees are adaptive. To say what bees will do in FL is not the same as saying what bees will do in NY. Ask questions but don't be stupid about what is happening in your apiary.
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Successful swarms and splits only happen when flows are on. Nucs have food. As I stated it, it applies to all areas. No question is stupid except one asked after you have acted. Smart questions are asked before you act. Again, that goes for all locations.
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Well I can't argue with that.
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Watched the video, all pretty straight forward.
The only comment I would make is on the queen handling.
Once we remove the cork we normally use a nail to pierce the candy plug the give the bees a track to chew into and out of to release the queen.
Also he hung the cage vertical with the candy plug at the bottom, we would normally put the cage horizontal between the top bars so if on of the attendant bees with the queen dies it wont block the hole for the queen to get out.
These bees in the pack know this queen, they have been smelling her for days in transit and so a quick exit by poking a hole in the candy will not make any difference.
Like some one said " not an exact science but based on common sense".
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Installing your first bees is a lot of fun! Have fun, stay in your zen place. Remember these are homeless bees looking for a home, they are not likely to get aggressive at all. I poured my first packages but I have recently seen a technique where the shipping package is inverted with the hole right over the queen, an empty box place over it and the hive closed up. Few hours later almost all the bees are out with the queen. Then just set the box leaning against the entrance the stragglers will crawl on in.
I make sure I install the queen cage with the candy side up and the screen facing front or back of hive. If one or more of the attendants has died they won't block the queen's exit. If the screen is facing foundation it will limit face time with the workers. I punch a small hole in the candy but many do not.
Check back in three days and she should be released.
Feeding a package light syrup (1-1) will help them draw out the comb they will need.
Have a blast with your bees. :smile:
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https://www.dadant.com/catalog/hive-accessories/hive-parts/b-funnel-m01985 (https://www.dadant.com/catalog/hive-accessories/hive-parts/b-funnel-m01985)
Good idea
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https://www.dadant.com/catalog/hive-accessories/hive-parts/b-funnel-m01985 (https://www.dadant.com/catalog/hive-accessories/hive-parts/b-funnel-m01985)
Good idea
Looks like a waste of money.
Jim
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Remember they are not going to leave the queen. Wherever you place her they will gravitate toward.
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I agree with sawdstmakr. I could easily find something else to spend that money on.
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Ask 10 beekeepers the same question. Get 11 answers. 9 of which are correct(there's always that one oddball).
Do what you are the most comfortable with. The bees will do the rest.
Yeah, this.
My first hive was a long lang. I opened a spot about 5 frames wide, put the box there, put the queen (in cage) between two frames a couple over from the box, and they started slowly coming out of the top of the box. Came back the next day and removed the box and queen cage. Easy peasy.
Whatever you do will probably be fine. Or not.
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I could easily find something else to spend that money on.
What, you going to save that money to buy a car? Maybe it is a great idea for under 12 bucks. What do you think would happen if you released a queen in an empty box of drawn comb and then allowed the package to join her?
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That is they way it has been taught for a long time.
Try putting it in the hive and see what happens. Do not leave it in more than a day or so.
They may start building wax in it.
Jim
He's serious about this!
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Yes for those that are afraid to shake the bees out.
I just shake out my bee vac box (same as a package of bees) onto the top of the frames. Then I place the box next to the hive so that the stranglers can walk into the hive.
I have seen people put the box in the hive between the frames for a day.
Jim
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I usually spray my packages with sugar water and dump them in the hive and place queen between two frames and close them up return 3 days later to see if she is released and if not release her then.