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Author Topic: My bees are here, but very quiet  (Read 4546 times)

Offline _Brenda_

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My bees are here, but very quiet
« on: April 24, 2008, 09:28:58 am »
Since I'm new at this, I hope they are o.k.  I just picked up the package at the post office, and they are hanging in a cluster from the top of the box, but are very still and quiet. Just a few seem to be buzzing or crawling.
I gave them a good spritz of water and then sugar syrup.
I was going to wait until this evening to install them, but think I'll do it this morning, to make sure they are alive.  :?
I have them in the basement right now, cool and dark, but not cold.
Brenda

Offline bassman1977

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Re: My bees are here, but very quiet
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2008, 09:34:04 am »
Sounds like they are a typical package of bees from what you describe.  Have fun installing.  It's a good time.  I get 5 more packages next week.  I can't wait.
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Offline JP

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Re: My bees are here, but very quiet
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2008, 10:35:47 am »
Everything seems normal to me also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lt1Jq1V9uac

Have fun!!!


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Offline randydrivesabus

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Re: My bees are here, but very quiet
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2008, 10:39:29 am »
as long as theres not a big pile of dead ones on he bottom it sounds good.

Offline _Brenda_

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Re: My bees are here, but very quiet
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2008, 11:21:39 am »
After I sprayed them with sugar syrup, they started to wake up.  :-D
Since this is my first install, and first time with bees, when I when to install them, I had a hard time getting hold of the syrup can. It was below the top opening. I finally got it with needle-nosed pliers. Then I couldn't get hold of the cork in the queen cage, even with tweezers. I had to take a small nail and dig out part of it, then I got hold with the tweezers and popped it out.
Poked a starter hole in the candy.
I could see the queen moving around with the attendants.
I took the least stressful installation route, and set the open package in the hive, after I hung the queen cage in.
I wanted to put a hive top feeder on, but the package was taller than the medium super, so I had to put an empty medium on top instead, and put a boardman feeder on the frames, with newspaper stuffed around it. I also put a mason jar bird waterer in (with packing peanuts).
Problem now is that they are also a little too tall and the telescoping cover isn't sitting down all the way on the side the feeders are on.
I'm afraid this could leave open a path to robbing, so any suggestions are
welcome.
I only have to 2 medium supers, so I don't have another to add right now.
Oh, and I didn't get stung! Not bragging, just very happy.  :-D
Brenda

Offline bassman1977

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Re: My bees are here, but very quiet
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2008, 11:43:12 am »
Quote
Problem now is that they are also a little too tall and the telescoping cover isn't sitting down all the way on the side the feeders are on.

By the time you read this they will be settled down and the lid will be in the proper position.

Quote
I only have to 2 medium supers, so I don't have another to add right now.

If there's no drawn foundation, you might want to just use the one box for now.  They will have less of an area to defend.  Once the box is about 70% full, then add the other.

Quote
Oh, and I didn't get stung! Not bragging, just very happy.

Brag when you get stung.   :-D

Sounds like you did well.  Good job.

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Offline randydrivesabus

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Re: My bees are here, but very quiet
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2008, 11:47:44 am »
how many frames did you have to remove to fit the package in?

Offline _Brenda_

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Re: My bees are here, but very quiet
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2008, 12:30:28 pm »
I had to remove 5 frames.
The "First Lessons in Beekeeping" book, recommended that way of installing.
Good for new chickens like me.  ;)
Tomorrow, I will take out the box and leave it by the hive entrance, put the frames back in, remove the top super and mason jar feeders, and add a hive top feeder.  I have to build up my courage.  :-D

Brenda

Offline bassman1977

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Re: My bees are here, but very quiet
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2008, 12:33:15 pm »
Quote
how many frames did you have to remove to fit the package in?

It has been awhile since I hived a package but I think at most it was two.  The package will fit.  The problem is is getting the queen cage inside.  I run 11 frames per box, so it's tight anyway.
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Offline randydrivesabus

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Re: My bees are here, but very quiet
« Reply #9 on: April 24, 2008, 01:03:01 pm »
i'm getting 5 packages saturday and i think i'll try putting the package in the hive box as you did DB. maybe it will reduce drifting. the only problem is potentially uncooperative weather to open the hive that much.

Offline _Brenda_

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Re: My bees are here, but very quiet
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2008, 09:42:26 am »
Just a followup. This morning I lit the smoker, gave them a few puffs, took the top super, newspaper, mason jar feeders, and the box they came in, out of the hive. I added in the 5 frames, and hive top feeder. Filled the feeder about 1/3rd full, (since I need to check the queen cage tomorrow, I can add more then) and put the telescoping top on. Everything looks good. The bees were feeding from jar feeders, big cluster around the queen area, and some in the newspaper by where the feeders were. I didn't check the queen today. I just wanted to get the shipping box out and get things set straight.
The bees were pretty calm. So far, so good.
Brenda

Offline MustbeeNuts

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Re: My bees are here, but very quiet
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2008, 11:01:39 pm »
I just hived my first two packages, Its fun for sure. They are lots calmer than I had expected. I think thats a good sign that you got some mellow bees. Congrats.
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