How to Install a Package of Bees

We have packaged a good amount of bees in our time and we have been asked to share our process.  Here is how we do it.  Please note, this is our take and please use this as a reference.  We recommend you follow the instructions you have been provided by your bee supplier but feel free to ask us questions on how we take on this process.

Step 1:  We wet the bees down while they are in the package with warm water.  Don't soak them too much.  If it is a colder day we sometimes skip this step.

Step 2:  Next remove the wood that is covering the feed can.  Use your hive tool and keep the cover close by for when you are finished with 

Step 3:  Carefully remove the can from the hive.  Keep hold of the metal tab, which is attached to the queen cage and slowly remove the can.  This can be tricky but the key is to work the can up without dropping the queen cage into the cluster.  Once the can is removed, put the wood cover back over the opening and set the queen and can aside.

Step 4:  One side of the cage has white candy in it with a cork.  The other side has just a cork.  Remove the cork from the candy side only.  

Step 5:  We then hang the queen cage with the candy side facing down.  If there are worker bees in the cage with queen then hang the cage candy side facing up.  The cage should be centered and placed 3 to 4 frames from the side of the hive.

Step 6:  Before dumping the bees, bump the box on the ground to get the bees at the bottom of the package.   Now take off the cover and shake the bees over the frames right over the queen.  You can do this with half the bees and let them get settled before dumping the rest.  However, we typically shake the bees all at once.  

Step 7:    Shake the package side to side to get the last remaining bees.  We try to empty them all out but if there are stragglers we place the box in front of the hive.  

Step 8:  We then place the remaining frames back into the hive and make sure the hive has a source of food.  We like to use in frame feeders that take up a frame space.

Step 9:  Seal the hive up with the outer cover and then use an entrance reducer with the smallest opening option.

Step 10:  We do not inspect the hive until at least 6 days later.

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