installing a package of bees

the first step is to pry the lid off

underneath is the top of the can of syrup - it completely fills the opening of the box & blocks any bees from escaping - it must be pulled up & out with pliers - also is the little metal tether attached to the queen cell

here's the queen cell & its metal tether - there are a few worker bees clinging to the outside

the queen cell is hung between two frames in the hive - the workers will eat through the candy cork & release her from her cell

this is the FUN part - dumping 10 thousand bees out! - you really just pour them out of the box

with a few good shakes & most of them are out - they are attracted to their queen's phermones - this will be our 'blue' hive

one down & one to go - getting ready to install bees into the 'white' hive

I was tickled Levi wanted in on the action, not every child wants to hang around with bees circling your head

 "Now remember, if you're cool & calm the bees will be too.  Okay?"

"Okay."

New Arrivals

I went & picked up two 3# packages of bees today {queen included in each}.  They're hanging out in the mud room until tomorrow morning when I'll get a little quiet time to install them.  

I've been working the last few days getting two hives up & ready.  

There's been a succession of beekeepers in Wildwood & a hayloft full of old woodenware to show for it.  I've brought some of it south to start a beeyard here... 

three pounds contain approximately 10,000 bees

each package comes with a tin of sugar syrup that the bees live on during transit

the queen is in there somewhere protected in her own tiny package - part of installing the bees tomorrow will be to place the queen in the hive - the workers will free her by eating away at the candy cork which is at the entrance of her package/cell

Doing a little refresher reading lately