Advice on installing 3 packages at same time

[Mark Johnson]

I know how to put one new queen and 3# of bees into a new home, having done it a couple of times. But I have never had to do with three new queens and attendant packages. [Had a really bad winter with zero survivors, as did many other beekeepers here in West Virginia]

Anybody have any experience in this area? Any thing I should NOT do? Any time of day that is better than others if you are housing different packages in the same beeyard? I was thinking about doing one hive a day for three consecutive days so that I don't have a bunch of bees who are truly scent-loyal and locked to their "new "queen drifting into a single hive — seems that would be a recipe for swarm problems real soon.

Also I am thinking about doing the installation about 7pm as the light is falling, also with the notion of getting the girls to stay more or less put. Or doesn't that matter?

[Michael Bush]

I would do them all at once. I'd start early enough you don't run out of daylight. Like 4:00 or 5:00 in the afternoon. I think you'll have just as many problems with drifing whenever you do it but they will be on an even footing if you do them all at once.

[BerkeyDavid]

Good question Mark, thanks for the answerMB, I am picking up my 3 packages in a few hours, will try to get them in this p.m.
Wish me luck! Michael, having read many of your posts I feel like you will be right there helping! Cheers!