[BjornBee]

As I look out the window this morning watching the rain fall, I was thinking of the two packages I will be getting in 4 days. (Yes, I am getting two packages :roll: for a new TBH and a warre hive.)

It seems every year, I get calls from new beekeepers that lost their new bees (not from me... ) due to installing them from packages on foundation, and a late season cold snap or days of rain kept the bees from foraging. For those who will be installing bees in the next several weeks, especially in colder northern areas, please make sure you have a plan for internal feeding. (External boardman type feeders will not do)

Buying bees twice in the first month of beekeeping is not really a good way to start. Make sure they do not starve the first couple weeks you install them.

 

[barry42001]

hello,
always used the hive top 2.5 gallon feeder seemed to be enough to draw comb, and get them well started , starting new this year but will do the same.

 

[BjornBee]

As usual.....bees are supposed to be here on Tuesday in the middle of a cold snap! I think you can time a cold snap every year by the date packages are brought in by the local club guy.

 

[Iddee]

Barry, Bjorn is speaking of northern beeks. Bees can't get to a hivetop feeder in 20 degree weather. It's different than down here in the south.

Bjorn, time for an update on the packages. Did they come in yet?

 

[BjornBee]

Oh Yeah!

One package went into the new Warre hive and the other went into a trench TBH.

Bees were flying today but the next two days are a high of 48 and rain.

I actually went out to the last 5 yards today. I'll need to fetch the paper from the truck in the morning, but the totals look very good. Not many dead.