Installing package while still cold out

[farmer joe]

If there are still frosts, or even snow on the ground, will the success of a 2 pound box plus queen be effected?
There will be willows blooming, but that is basically all.
I was thinking about an earlier than usual start up this year if it is feasible.
Thanks.

[peggjam]

Alot would depend on the size of the box you used to put them in, and whether they would be able to move to get feed. Seems like a big risk trying to hive packages too early.

[MountainCamp]

Spring weather is unpredictable, so the earlier the package is hived the more variables to deal with.

I like a 3# package for early season, it gives them more bees for clustering and warmth.

If the weather is cold 20’s and 30’s, you will need to place food right where they can get it and cluster by it. You will need to ensure that there is enough food to get them through till flying weather and flows start.

If the weather is cool 40’s and 50’s, they will be able to break cluster to get to feed.

I have installed packages and queens into early spring splits in the snow and freezing weather. I would rather have done it in nice warm sunny weather, but you can’t change the weather and you have to deal with what you have.

In early spring, I place the queen cage on top of the top bars. I place my feeder jars, some granular sugar, and pollen subsititute on the top bars as well. This allows the cluster to form all around the queen cage, with food right there as well.

Are you placing them on foundation or drawn comb?

If you place the empty box on in spring, watch them as they are prone to start building comb on the top bars and going into the empty box.

[ February 02, 2007, 06:40 AM: Message edited by: MountainCamp ]

[farmer joe]

Thanks for the tips. It comes down to packages in early March or nucs(3 frame) in mid June. Mid June is getting late for buildup with such a tiny nuc.
They'd be going onto drawn comb and I do have frames of honey and pollen stored.
I think I'll just wait, less risk.

[Antero]

farmer joe .Have alook at this site, I have learned alot from here.Were in Central B. C.

TERRY


http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/2005/diary121005.htm

[MountainCamp]

Why not just make your own splits and allow them to raise their own queens?
It is not all that hard to do.
Time the split so that the queens will emerge about the time of your swarm season.
Make the splits up about 3 - 4 weeks prior to swarm season.

[Moersch]

Hi Joe,
I have installed packages up in Fort St. John in early April. If you have frames of honey and pollen to give them, I'd go for the packages rather than the nucs much later. But it does depend on where in central B.C. you are talking about. There's a big climate difference between, say, Kamloops and Prince George.
I assume the packages originate offshore, as March is too early for packages from B.C. A nuc installed in June in your area won't produce a lot of honey, but will be a strong hive before winter.
Regards
John

[BjornBee]

I've installed a good number of 3# packages in temps hovering around 40 degrees a few years back. Once in the middle of a downpouring rain. I was dumping the bees in the hive, and if they fell on the ground, they died. I don't recall losing any of the colonies.

[Ian]

>>It comes down to packages in early March or nucs(3 frame) in mid June. Mid June is getting late for buildup with such a tiny nuc.


Well march is early for us here, but you mentioned the willows will be out, so knowing your from Central BC, perhaps your March is like our April,.?
Being the case, your much further ahead packageing your hives in March than buying 3 framers in mid June. Id say,if your packaging on drawn comb, with pollen, and keep them fed, your packages would probably be pulling honey by mid to late June,

Packaging them when it is a little cooler doesnt hurt them, as long as you are quick, and have feed right there for them. They will migrate to where ever the queen is in the box.
Id rather hive when it is a little cooler than warmer. There tends to be too much flight and confussion when warm.