To execute a technical transfer of package bees, you must first create a receiving void within the hive body by removing three to four central frames. After extracting the feeder can and the queen cage from the shipping package, invert the package to physically shake the bee cluster into the open space of the hive.
The objective is not merely relocation, but the rapid integration of the colony with the queen in a low-stress environment. A successful transfer balances physical installation with the biological requirement of pheromone acclimation.
Site and Hive Preparation
Establishing the Hardware
Ensure your apiary site is ready before the bees arrive. The standard installation requires a single deep hive body containing wooden frames, placed on a hive stand with a screened bottom board.
Creating the Receiving Space
Remove the hive cover and lift out three to four frames from the center of the box. Set these aside temporarily. This creates the necessary void to accommodate the mass of bees you are about to introduce.
Installing the Entrance Reducer
Place an entrance reducer on the bottom board. This limits the opening, helping the new colony defend against robbers and draft while they establish themselves.
Preparing the Package for Transfer
Reducing Bee Stress
If the ambient temperature is above 40°F, heavily mist the bees through the package screen with a 1:1 sugar-water syrup. This calms the bees, limits their flight (making them easier to handle), and provides an immediate energy source.
Accessing the Cluster
Use a hive tool to pry off the package lid. This will expose the feeder can and the strap or tab holding the queen cage.
Removing the Feeder Can
Carefully lift the feeder can out of the package. You may need to tap the package gently to dislodge bees clinging to the can.
Retrieving the Queen
Locate the queen cage, which is usually suspended near the feeder can. Remove it carefully, ensuring you do not drop it into the mass of bees inside the package.
The Installation Procedure
Preparing the Queen for Release
Inspect the queen cage. It is plugged with a candy cork (or a cork covering candy). Remove the cover to expose the candy, but do not release the queen immediately.
Positioning the Queen
Suspend the queen cage between two of the center frames remaining in the hive. The worker bees will eat through the candy over several days, releasing her slowly. This delay allows her pheromones to permeate the hive, which is critical for her acceptance by the colony.
The Shake Method
Invert the shipping package over the open space in the hive body. Rock and shake the package firmly to dump the cluster of bees into the void you created.
Reassembling the Hive
Once the bulk of the bees are in the hive, gently replace the frames you removed earlier. Be extremely careful to avoid crushing bees or damaging the queen cage.
Consolidating Stragglers
Place the nearly empty shipping package on the ground near the hive entrance. Any residual bees left inside will smell the colony and migrate into the hive on their own.
Critical Technical Considerations
Avoiding Chill and Flight
Do not spray the bees with syrup if the temperature is near freezing. Wet bees in cold temperatures can die from hypothermia. Conversely, failing to mist them in warm weather can result in excessive flying and drifting.
The Queen Cage Risk
A common error is removing the candy plug entirely or releasing the queen manually during installation. If the queen is released before the workers recognize her pheromones, they may view her as an invader and kill (ball) her.
Post-Installation Feeding
You must install a feeder and provide sugar syrup continuously. A new package has no food stores and no drawn comb; they require immediate caloric energy to build wax and survive until natural nectar flows begin.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
To ensure the long-term viability of your new colony, prioritize the following:
- If your primary focus is Colony Acceptance: Do not disturb the hive for several days after installation; allow the workers to release the queen naturally through the candy plug to ensure pheromone bonding.
- If your primary focus is Comb Building: Feed a 1:1 sugar syrup mixture continuously to stimulate wax production, as the bees cannot lay eggs or store food without drawn comb.
The transfer is complete only when the queen is accepted and laying, not just when the bees are inside the box.
Summary Table:
| Stage | Key Action | Technical Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Remove 3-4 central frames | Create a receiving void in the hive body |
| Pheromones | Position queen cage (candy side) | 3-5 day delayed release for colony acceptance |
| Transfer | Firmly shake package into void | Minimize flight with sugar-water mist (above 40°F) |
| Aftercare | Continuous 1:1 syrup feeding | Essential for immediate wax production and survival |
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