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How to Put a Swarm in a Hive

Beekeeping is an environmentally friendly hobby that provides the beekeeper with plenty of plant pollinators and a ready supply of honey. Honeybee swarms can be captured in the wild, but most beekeepers purchase them from bee farms. Installing the bees into the hive is a simple process that takes less than 30 minutes. Shortly after installation, the swarm begins building combs, preparing to raise the queen's brood and getting ready to make honey.

Things You'll Need

3 lb box of bees
10-frame honeybee box hive, with foundation
Hive tool
Wood screw
Feeder jar filled with 1:1 sugar water solution
Spray bottle of 1:1 sugar and water solution
Light-colored protective clothing

Instructions

- 1
  
  Protective clothing is essential for safely handling bees.
  
  Wear a beekeeper's hat, boots, gloves and light-colored clothing that covers your entire body. Tape or tuck in the material at the cuffs.
- 2
  
  Remove frames from the center of the hive to install the bees.
  
  Lift off the top of the hive and remove three or four frames from the center. This is where you will install the bees. Spray the inside of the hive with sugar water to attract and feed them. Place the feeder jar at or near the hive entrance to provide a food source for the first few days.
- 3
  
  Spraying with sugar water calms the bees and makes them cluster together.
  
  Spray the bees through the mesh sides of the box with sugar water. They will get quiet as they begin to consume the sugar solution off themselves and each other. This calms the bees and causes them to clump together.
- 4
  Use your hive tool to pry off the thin sheet of wood that covers the opening on the top of the bee box. The can of nectar will be blocking the opening. Detach the strap that secures the queen cage to the top of the bee box. Slowly remove the can of nectar and queen cage through the opening. If the bees become noisy, spray them again with sugar water. Carefully inspect the queen to make sure she appears healthy.
- 5
  Lift the bee box up above the opening at the top of the hive where you removed the frames. Turn the box over and dump the bees into the hive with one swift movement. You want to shake the box once, firmly enough to get most of the bees out. The bees should drop out into the hive in a large clump. Give another firm shake to remove the remaining bees.
- 6
  Place the bee box on the ground near the hive. This will allow any remaining bees to find their way into the hive.
- 7
  Slowly replace one of the frames. Wedge the queen cage down into the hive between two frames with the sugar cube-side down. Use the strap or wire hanger on the queen cage to secure it to the frame. Slowly replace the rest of the hive frames and lid.

Insects & Science