To execute a professional package bee installation, you must assemble a specific set of hive components, protective gear, and manipulation tools before the bees arrive.
At a minimum, you will need a single deep hive body with 10 wooden frames, a screened bottom board, a hive stand, and an entrance reducer. For the actual installation process, essential tools include a bee suit with gloves, a smoker, a hive tool, a feeder, a spray bottle filled with sugar water, and a sharp instrument like a wood screw for queen cage manipulation.
Core Takeaway Success in installing package bees relies less on improvisation and more on having a fully assembled, painted, and positioned apiary before the bees arrive. The critical objective is to transfer the colony and queen into their new environment with minimal stress, ensuring they have immediate access to protection and nutrition.
Establishing the Colony's Physical Foundation
The Hive Structure
The foundational hardware is a single deep hive body. Inside this box, you must have 10 wooden frames ready to receive the colony.
Base and Ventilation
The hive body should rest on a sturdy hive stand to keep it off the damp ground. Below the frames, utilize a screened bottom board; this aids in ventilation and pest management.
Entrance Management
You must install an entrance reducer. A newly installed package is vulnerable and disorganized; reducing the entrance size helps the colony defend against robbers and regulate internal temperature.
Tools for the Installation Process
Managing Bee Behavior
A smoker is required to calm the bees prior to and during the transfer. Additionally, a spray bottle filled with 1:1 sugar syrup is essential; misting the bees through the package screen prevents them from flying aggressively and encourages grooming.
Handling the Queen
You need a wood screw or similar sharp instrument to carefully remove the cork from the queen cage. Once the cork is removed (exposing the candy plug), you will need a rubber band or thumbtack to secure the queen's cage between two center frames.
Nutrition Delivery
A feeder is non-negotiable. Package bees have no food stores and require continuous feeding of sugar syrup until natural nectar flows are established.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Full Body Protection
A bee suit or veil combined with leather gloves is mandatory for professional installation. Even though package bees are generally docile, the shaking process can agitate them, making full coverage necessary for safety.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Feeder Types
While a feeder is required, the type of feeder presents a trade-off. Entrance feeders are easy to monitor but can incite robbing from other hives. Internal feeders (like frame feeders) are more secure but require opening the hive to refill, which may disturb the new colony.
Releasing the Queen
There is a critical balance when handling the queen cage cork. If you direct-release the queen immediately, the hive may reject and kill her. You must rely on the candy plug method, allowing the workers to eat through the candy over several days to release her, which ensures they acclaim to her pheromones first.
Prep Time vs. Installation Time
Do not attempt to assemble hardware on the day of arrival. All woodenware must be assembled and painted days in advance to allow fumes to dissipate. Rushing this step can lead to weak equipment or chemical odors that repel the swarm.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
- If your primary focus is colony survival: Prioritize a high-capacity internal feeder and an entrance reducer to prevent starvation and robbing during the critical first week.
- If your primary focus is ease of installation: Ensure you have a specialized wood screw and thumbtacks ready in your pocket, as fiddling with the queen cage is the most technically delicate step.
Preparation is the antidote to panic; have your equipment positioned and your tools within arm's reach before you ever open the package.
Summary Table:
| Category | Essential Item | Purpose / Function |
|---|---|---|
| Hive Hardware | Single Deep Hive Body & 10 Frames | Provides the main housing and structure for the colony. |
| Base & Protection | Screened Bottom Board & Entrance Reducer | Manages ventilation, pests, and hive defense. |
| Manipulation Tools | Hive Tool & Smoker | Essential for prying frames and calming the bees. |
| Feeding & Care | Feeder & Spray Bottle (Sugar Water) | Ensures immediate nutrition and prevents aggressive flight during install. |
| Queen Handling | Wood Screw & Rubber Bands | Tools for managing the queen cage cork and securing her between frames. |
| PPE | Bee Suit, Veil, & Leather Gloves | Full body protection during the high-activity shaking process. |
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