Installing Package Bees In A Rooftop Hive Named Willow

Written by on in Beekeeping, Beginner Beekeeper, How To's, Installing Packages, Package Bees, Queen Bees, Queen Cage, Roof Top Hives, Squill Hive, Willow Hive

Installing Package Bees into Willow Hive

On Saturday after picking up our three bee packages, Brian and I set out to install them.  First we got the roof ready for the new hives.  The roof is black and can get very hot in the summertime, sometimes reaching temperatures of 30 degrees or more above the outside temps.  Since we don’t want to cook the bees up there, the first thing we did was place a white PVC sheet down underneath the new hives.  This actually reduces the heat significantly and makes the temperature the same as the outside.  It’s amazing what a little color or lack of it can do!

The bee package.

We also setup the hive stands and empty hives in preparation for the bees.  Willow hive was installed first.  This hive will be managed by me and was named after the willow tree and it’s importance as a food source for bees.  Willow has its own page on the site so you can follow along with the hive’s progress.  You can also get there by mousing over The Apiary link above and clicking on Willow Hive.  My goal is to have this be a foundationless hive.  I started the girls on a mix of wired wax foundation and wired frames with wax starter strips.   The highlight of this install was seeing the bees clustered all over the queen cage.  Bees are so amazing!

The bees clustered around the queen cage.

Here is a picture of me shaking the bees into the hive.  You can also see some of the frames with starter strips next to the hive.

Shaking the bees into the hive.

In this picture most of the bees are inside the hive and it’s time to close it up.

Most of the bees are in the hive now.

To see more detailed pictures and descriptions of the package installation view the gallery below.  Just click on a picture then scroll through the slideshow by clicking on the arrows.  If you click on the picture the gallery will close.  If you are viewing this in an email or reader you may have to read this post on the website for the gallery and descriptions to display properly. Enjoy!

The empty hives are ready for package installation.
Willow hive is a foundationless hive and needs to be level for the bees to build comb correctly.
Modified entrance reducer.
Willow hive is now ready for bees.
Package Bees for Willow Hive.
Spraying the bees with syrup lightly.
Taking the cover off the package with my hive tool.
Removing the cover completely.
Bumping the package on the hive to get the bees to fall to the bottom.
Notice how many bees are at the bottom of the package now.
Removing the can of syrup from the package.
Removing the can of syrup.
Some bees were drinking the syrup off the can.
Replacing the cover gently on the package opening to keep the bees inside.
Removing three frames from the hive to install the bees.
Using the bee brush to brush the bees off the syrup and into the hive.
Pulling out the queen cage carefully.
Removing the queen cage and covering up the box of bees.
The bees are clustering around their queen.
The bees are clustering around their queen.
I brushed the bees off the queen cage and into the hive.
The marked queen. She has a yellow dot painted on her back.
The queen looks great inside the cage.
A side view of the queen.
The flying workers quickly surround her like they do in a swarm.
Look at the queen. Isn\'t she a beauty?
Removing the cork with a leatherman knife.
The queen is on the frame now.
Replacing the frame with the queen cage attached.
Pushing another frame with full foundation gently next to the queen cage.
Now it's time for the bees!
I shook some bees out of the box and onto the queen.
The rest of the bees go into the box where the frames were removed.
Shaking the bees into the box.
Shaking the bees into the box.
Shaking the bees into the box.
Most of the bees are in the hive now.
There were some stragglers in the box so Brian gave a go at shaking them into the hive.
There were some stragglers in the box so Brian gave a go at shaking them into the hive.
Almost all the bees are in the hive now.
Next I carefully replaced the 3 frames trying not to squish the bees inside.
I gently pushed the frames back together so they were tight.
I gently pushed the frames back together so they were tight.
I gently pushed the frames back together so they were tight.
The bees in the hive.
I used a wild turkey feather to brush the bees off the side of the box. They like that better than the brush.
Now that the bees are out of the way, I replaced the inner cover.
Brushing the last few bees away so they don't get smushed.
I placed the package in front of the hive so the few bees left in there would find their way inside.
Before replacing the outer cover I checked for fanning.
The flying bees are coming towards the fanning pheromone.
Some bees from Brian\'s hive clustered on the front on Willow.

 

Other Posts You May Enjoy:

  1. It’s Queen Cage Removal Time!
  2. Picking Up The Package Bees
  3. Bee Package Installation – Don’t Forget The Cork!
  4. I Want Candy! So Let’s Make A Candyboard For Winter Feeding
  5. Installing Package Bees In Dandelion Hive

This post was linked to Farmgirl Friday and the Barn Hop.

Anita Deeley is a biologist and former state bee inspector who maintains 100 honey bee hives. She is the beekeeper, writer, owner and creator of BeverlyBees.com. When she is not spending time with her girls (the bees), she enjoys being a wife to her beekeeping cohort, Brian and mother to 3 little boys (the beekeepers in training). Read more about Anita here >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Anita on Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ or Facebook here.

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