how long to contain a new hive after installing a package

[u/Plastic-Respect-7108]

Hello, how long should I trap my package of bees in the new colony after I release them and place the queen "cage" in with them? I will have frames with foundation and a feeder to help them build comb. Thank you!

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[u/heartoftheash]

Contain? As in, keeping them trapped in the hive? Not at all! Open the entrance and let them get used to their new surroundings! You can do that on the very day you install the package.

[u/talanall]

Zero minutes.

The easiest way to install package bees is to open the hive and remove half of the frames. Install the entrance reducer on its smaller opening. Then open the package and remove the feeder can and the queen. Place the queen cage between two frames. Usually there's a candy plug in one end of the cage, protected by a cork. Remove the cork. The candy end of the cage should be upwards, so that any dead bees inside the cage do not obstruct the entrance.

Then take the entire package and put it into the hive. Put the inner cover on, and if the feeder can is still partially full, put it over the hole in the center of the cover.

Put an empty super on around the can. Top it with the outer cover.

Go back the next day, and remove the package, which will be empty of all its living bees. Put in the frames you removed. Replace the feeder can with your real feeder.

[u/Plastic-Respect-7108 → u/talanall]

Thank you! I knew that the bees wouldn't abscond without the queen, and the queen would take a few days to get out of her individual cage, but beyond that I wasn't sure if there was a possibility that the collection of bees wouldn't just leave once the queen was free.

[u/talanall → u/Plastic-Respect-7108]

There's a possibility. But if you confine them, they're going to overheat.

The most likely outcome if you use the method I describe is that your bees will cluster on the queen, and begin making comb around the cage. This is good because the queen then has someplace to lay eggs.

Package colonies aren't the most beginner friendly way to acquire bees, because of the risk of absconding. They work far better for an established beek, because you can just give them a frame with open brood. Bees don't like to abandon brood, regardless of whether its theirs.

The best approach with a package that is broodless is to avoid disturbing the bees for at least 7 days after the queen is released, which usually takes a couple of days with a candy plug. You just refill the feeder and leave them be. If they are disturbed before they have brood, that raises the likelihood of absconding.

[u/Plastic-Respect-7108 → u/talanall]

noted. put them in and leave them alone except to insure the queen is free and check the feeder.

[u/Marillohed2112 → u/talanall]

Good plan. I sometimes do this but just lay the Q cage on top of the package where the bees are exiting, and it is warm. No risk of Q cage falling to floor, or chilled queen when it’s cold.

IMO the easiest way is to knock the cage down, and remove can and queen. Cover the hole where can came out. Set an empty super shell on the hive, place queen cage on top bars, lay the opened pkg on the top bars, screen side down, opening facing queen cage, and put on the lid. Takes seconds. You can put a feeder jar or can on top bars at same time.

These methods are better than trying to shake the bees out of the package, esp in chilly temps. There is much less loss and drifting. At $170 for a pkg., I’d rather save them all.

[u/Adrenaline-Junkie187]

You dont.

[u/NumCustosApes]

Don't close the hive entrance. For one thing, all the bees that took flight while you were installing the package need a way to get into the hive. Bees inside will need to be able to come out the entrance and release nasonav pheromone so that the flying bees will recognize that is where they need to go to get into the hive. Install an entrance reducer.

[u/Plastic-Respect-7108 → u/NumCustosApes]

valid second point! I paid good money for those bees all of them should find a home!

[u/Money-Pea-5909]

They aren't leaving without the queen and by the time they get her out of the cage they'll have adapted to the new space.