Spray the bees lightly with syrup, remove the feed can, hang the queen cage between two frames, shake or pour the bees in, close up, and feed immediately. The whole job takes about ten minutes. Late afternoon on a calm day is the best time.
What do I need ready before I start?
Hive assembled and on its stand, frames in, entrance reducer set to its smallest opening, feeder filled with 1:1 sugar syrup, and a spray bottle of the same syrup. Remove three or four frames from the middle to make room — you'll put them back at the end.
Step by step
- Mist the package lightly through the screen with syrup. Damp bees fly less and are easier to handle. Don't soak them.
- Pry out the feed can and immediately cover the hole with your hand or the cardboard.
- Remove the queen cage. Check that she's alive and moving. If she's dead, close everything up and call us.
- Prepare the cage. Remove the cork from the candy end. If there's no candy, use a small nail or marshmallow so release takes a few days — the colony needs time to accept her.
- Hang the cage between two frames in the middle, candy end up, screen facing into open space so bees can reach her.
- Pour or shake the bees in over the open space. Firm shakes. Most will go in; the rest will follow.
- Replace the frames gently. Move slowly so you don't crush bees.
- Set the package box near the entrance so stragglers walk in. Remove it the next day.
- Close up and feed. Syrup goes on immediately and stays on until they're drawing comb well.
When do I check the queen?
Three days. Open just enough to confirm she's out of the cage. If she isn't, release her directly onto a frame — by day three the colony has accepted her.
Then leave them alone for a week. New colonies need to be left to work far more than they need to be inspected.
What should I see at one week?
Comb being drawn on several frames and eggs in the middle of the brood nest. Eggs are hard to see at first — hold the frame with the sun over your shoulder and look straight down into the cells.
If there are no eggs at day ten and no queen to be found, call us.
How long do I keep feeding?
Until they've drawn out most of the box and are bringing in real nectar. In a short northern season, feeding a new package generously in the first month buys you weeks of buildup later.
Questions about any of this? Call or text us at (701) 809-0153. We're always happy to help, even if you didn't get your bees from us.