View Full Version : when to install package bees
hey guys im getting my first hives (3) set up for next year, when do suppliers send packages in begining of the year? they told me they except orders first of feb. if its during a cold snap, what is the lowest temp. you can add and package of bees to a new hive?
Michael Bush
08-10-2004, 03:14 PM
When they ship depends on the climate. Here they tend to ship sometime in April. There? I don't know.
ronnyclif
08-10-2004, 05:15 PM
After your last frost.
newbee 101
08-10-2004, 06:00 PM
1st week of May here in CT. You have to order early, like January or February.
------------------
"To bee or not to bee, that is the question"
oregonsparkie
08-10-2004, 06:12 PM
Over here in Oregon I believe it is in late february or early march
Rooster4473
08-10-2004, 08:04 PM
I ordered by December. I got my bees in April.
Of course in PA after I got my bees, it got bitter cold, below freezing for more then a few days. I thought best to cover my hive with a blanket. They did ok. But boy I was worried.
Hillside
08-10-2004, 08:15 PM
Here in east central Minnesota, I have installed in early to mid April. Our last freeze isn't until mid May, but bees seem to do just fine installed in April if you feed them plenty of syrup.
Last spring I installed packages on April 9, a light snow was falling and temp was in the low 40s. It froze hard that night and for the next few nights. They could only fly one day out of about three during the first two weeks. The bees did great.
When you are installing in such cold temps, you have to work fast and keep the queen from getting cold.
BULLSEYE BILL
08-10-2004, 11:16 PM
Last time I ordered packages was Jan 2nd 2003 from McCary. Still haven't showed up.