Oh, alright then. Thanks little john. I unfortunately do not have a source of brood, or wax for that matter. I'm trying to do everything I can to prevent absconding. It would be such a same to spend all this money on them to just have them fly away. I guess I'll just use a queen includer for the first couple weeks or so as a precaution.
I guessed that was the case - it's always tough starting out without so much as drawn comb ...
There's one thing you could do which involves nothing extra in the way of kit - and that's to install the package into your new box fairly late in the day - say between tea-time and early evening. Even a colony intent on swarming won't take off so late in the day. That then gives your package a good 12 hours to initially settle down, and maybe draw a few millimetres of comb before morning.
I bow to Iddee's experience of installing packages - they're not something we know much about over here, as we have a marked preference for nucs.
Using a Queen 'Includer' for 3 or 4 days may be overkill - but sure, why not ? They won't come to any harm if they have ventilation and a supply of water (say, in the form of light syrup). Personally I wouldn't leave one on for more than a week. At some point you just have to let them fly - and get on with doing what bees do best.
A first colony is an exciting time - and also an anxious one. Which is perfectly natural - and to be honest I don't think this anxiety business ever completely goes away. Today I was able to check all my hives after the latest 'weather-bomb', and now have a great feeling of relief. Which tells me that I must have been anxious, even though not too aware of it.
Seeing colonies flying for the first time after winter always gives me one helluva buzz - but if that should ever stop, then that'll be the day to hang-up my veil.
LJ