A bee package represents the start of a new honey bee colony and offers beekeepers a standardized way to populate new equipment. A typical package consists of approximately three pounds of worker bees, roughly 10,000 to 15,000 insects, contained within a screened wooden box. This temporary structure also includes a caged queen bee and a small feeder can filled with sugar syrup for transport. The objective of installation is to safely transfer this population into a permanent hive structure so the colony can establish itself and draw comb.
Preparing the Hive and Tools
Installation is best performed during the late afternoon on a day with mild weather, ideally above 50°F. The cooler air encourages the bees to remain settled within the hive overnight, reducing the likelihood of them drifting away. Before initiating the transfer, gather the necessary equipment: protective gear, a lit smoker, a hive tool, and a sprayer filled with 1:1 sugar syrup.
The permanent hive body must be prepared ahead of time to receive the new colony. Temporarily remove one or two central frames to create a cavity where the bees will be shaken. Place an entrance reducer at the hive entrance, restricting the opening to a small gap. This helps the new, weak colony defend itself against potential robbing. Install a feeder, such as an internal frame or top feeder, and fill it with sugar syrup to provide immediate nourishment.
The Installation Procedure
Lightly mist the entire package of bees with the 1:1 sugar syrup solution. This causes the worker bees to become preoccupied with cleaning and consuming the syrup, making them less likely to fly or sting during installation. Once the bees are calmed, carefully remove the wooden lid from the package box to access the feeder can and the queen cage.
Remove the feeder can first. Then, locate the queen cage and gently detach it from its hanging location, often secured by a strap or staple. Inspect the queen briefly to ensure she is alive and healthy. Remove the cork or staple covering the candy plug end of the queen cage, exposing the sugar candy.
Suspend the queen cage between the two central frames of the hive body, with the candy plug facing upward. This candy plug acts as a delayed release mechanism, requiring the worker bees to chew through it over three to five days. This allows them time to acclimate to the queen’s pheromones. After the queen cage is secured, invert the package box and sharply shake the bulk of the worker bees directly into the open cavity of the prepared hive body.
Place the empty package box near the entrance for a few hours, allowing any remaining stray bees to crawl out and join the colony. Once the majority of the worker bees are clustered on the bottom board, gently lower the removed frames back into the hive. Take care not to crush the bees or the suspended queen cage. Place the inner cover and outer telescoping cover onto the hive body, completing the initial transfer.
Post-Transfer Care and Follow-Up
Continuous feeding of 1:1 sugar syrup is highly beneficial for the newly installed colony for the first few weeks. The syrup provides the necessary energy for workers to begin drawing out wax comb. It offers a readily available carbohydrate source, which is helpful if natural nectar sources are scarce or the weather is uncooperative. This early energy supply is vital for building the structure needed for brood rearing and food storage.
The first inspection should occur three to five days after installation to confirm the successful release of the queen. Locate the queen cage and verify that the candy plug has been chewed through and the queen is gone. Remove the empty cage from the frames. If the queen has not been released, a manual release can be performed, though this is often unnecessary if the candy plug was properly exposed.
A subsequent, more thorough inspection should be conducted seven to ten days after the queen’s confirmed release. This check focuses on confirming the queen is actively laying eggs and that the colony is functioning as a unit. The presence of eggs and young larvae confirms that the queen is fertile and accepted by the workers.
During these early weeks, ensure the entrance reducer remains in place to help the small colony manage airflow and protect against robbing from stronger colonies. Consistent monitoring of the feeder and the bees’ demeanor helps confirm the colony is settling in and progressing.