Hobbies And Interests

How to Install a Package of Bees in a New Hive

Package bees are a pre-established population of bees that are available for purchase. They most often are used as the first step in establishing a new bee hive. Installing package bees into a new hive requires a clean hive structure ready to go. After removing and installing the queen bee and her attendants, the rest of the bees can be placed into the hive, which they will eventually fill with honey.

Things You'll Need

  • Bee hive
  • Hive stand
  • Hive frames
  • Bee feeder
  • Smoker
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Instructions

    • 1

      Set up the bee hive, and remove three frames within the hive to make room for the installation of the package bees.

    • 2

      Open the top of the package of bees, usually by prying off the top piece of wood or plate on the package. Generally, it is best to let the bee package sit for a period of time, to let the bees calm down after being agitated in transport. Consider using the smoker to further calm the bees while opening the package.

    • 3

      Remove the feeding can that is inside the package. It is usually located in an upper corner, attached to the side. Simply pry it out.

    • 4

      Locate and remove the cage containing the queen bee, and then place the lid back on the package.

    • 5

      Shake off the attendant bees that should be clinging to the queen's cage into the hive. Then remove the cork that contains the candy that currently is feeding the queen. Place one of the removed frames into the hive, and then place the queen bee cage down between that frame and the other frames, making sure it is secure and that the other bees can have access to the cage.

    • 6

      Dump the bees from the package into the hive now that the queen is installed. Simply remove the top from the package, pick it up and shake the bees into the hive where the next two removed frames will go after the first honeycomb has been filled.

    • 7

      Install the bee feeder into the hive, after it has been filled with a sugar and water mixture. The mixture should be two parts water to one part sugar. Then close the hive, and allow the bees to begin establishing it.


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