How To Install Packaged Bees

Installing packaged bees into the hive equipment can be quite an adventure. In fact, it can pass us one of the most exciting things about beekeeping. But as excited you are to install the bees, do not dump them into the hive just yet. You have to make sure that the time of the day and the weather are both favorable. Installation is best done in mid to late afternoon and when it is warm and sunny. Although packaged bees are generally less aggressive since they still don't have honey and brood to defend, it is recommended to wear protective clothing like hat and veil. Remember, bee stings are terribly painful.

Before the actual installation, prepare a pint of sugar syrup (one part sugar and one part water) and spray the mixture onto the package screen. The sugar syrup supplies nourishment to the bees and keeps them calm. It makes them a little sticky, preventing them to fly too much. Do not overspray the bees. Spray them again only when they get agitated due to air and sun exposure.

Set up the hive in the location where you intend to permanently position it. It would be rather hard to move it once the bees have settled in. Now, put the entrance reducer and feeder in place. Then, spray the hive frames with sugar syrup to attract the bees into the hive; after which, take out the four center frames from the hive, making an opening to dump the bees into.

Now, open the package. Remove the feeding can attached to the lid and the small cage that keeps the queen bee. The queen cage has corks at both ends, with the other end having a candy mixture. Remove the cork from the candy end and, by using a nail, create a hole small enough to prevent the bees from coming into the queen cage. Then, suspend the queen cage between two frames in the hive. The bees will eat through the candy to release the queen.

Once the queen cage is settled, pour the bees into the hive. Some bees may be clinging hard onto the package screen, so shake the package and make a strong tapping using the palm of your hand. Be careful, though, since disturbed bees may sting. A few bees may remain inside the package, but don't force them into the hive. Rather, leave the package near the hive and within a few hours, they will fly into it. Now, close the hive by replacing the four frames you earlier took out. Then, put the inner and top covers.

Two days after the installation, check the colony. By this time, the bees should be working on the combs and should have released the queen. If the queen hasn't emerged yet, wait for a few more days. Once the queen is released, she will start laying eggs.