foul weather hiving

**Jas0n Bresson** · 04-08-2008, 03:34 AM

I'm getting my packages this weekend and the weather forcast isn't looking to good for pickup day and the 3 days that follow. Last year I had to hive 2 nucs in the rain and they were fine. Can I install packages in the rain if I get small breaks in showers and are there any tricks. 7 packages. Thanks Jason

**honeyman46408** · 04-08-2008, 03:50 AM

Originally Posted by Jas0n Bresson

I'm getting my packages this weekend and the weather forcast isn't looking to good for pickup day and the 3 days that follow. Last year I had to hive 2 nucs in the rain and they were fine. Can I install packages in the rain if I get small breaks in showers and are there any tricks. 7 packages. Thanks Jason

I like a little rain in the late afternoon, keeps the bees from flying

**Nate** · 04-08-2008, 04:31 AM

i hived 2 packages this past friday with some mist (break from hard rain). Went great.

**Paraplegic Racehorse** · 04-08-2008, 06:18 PM

Well, I get the joy of probably hiving during a driving snow storm.

I'm probably going to just open the mesh on one side of the package, placing it newly opened side up on the bottom board, then direct release the queen into the package. This should minimize the cold exposure, anyway.

Does anyone have experience on cold-weather hiving who can give a few pointers?

**Ravenseye** · 04-08-2008, 06:26 PM

I'm hiving on Saturday. Supposed to rain. If it's really raining hard I might have the better half hold a golf umbrella over me while I shake the bees. Or, I might wait until Sunday. The bees should keep one more day.

**Jas0n Bresson** · 04-08-2008, 07:31 PM

Thanks for the replies. I see I'm not the only one hiveing in inclement weather and from what I gather there shouldn't bee to much of an issue. No pun intended.

I plan on placing the queen cage on top of the hive bars screen side down and install a spacer. Do you think this would be ok ,or maybe I should direct release depending on how long the packages have been in transit.

**Ravenseye** · 04-09-2008, 05:15 AM

You can do the spacer and check back later. If they've been together for a few days, I would direct release.

**honeyman46408** · 04-09-2008, 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by Ravenseye

I'm hiving on Saturday. Supposed to rain. If it's really raining hard I might have the better half hold a golf umbrella over me while I shake the bees. Or, I might wait until Sunday. The bees should keep one more day.

If you folks would read the artical by "Jennifer Berry" in "Bee Culture" Page 43 you would bee able to install the packages with out SHAKING OR STRESSING THE BEES and hardly any flying.

Another 2¢ from me

**Ravenseye** · 04-09-2008, 07:42 AM

Thanks honeyman...I'll see if I can find it. I actually pour more than shake, but the less stress the better!

**Brent Bean** · 04-09-2008, 12:18 PM

Honeyman46408:

Is that in the latest issue?

**honeyman46408** · 04-09-2008, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Brent Bean

Honeyman46408:

Is that in the latest issue?

Yes I got it last week

**Adrian Quiney WI** · 04-09-2008, 08:02 PM

I am also getting my first package (Friday) in a stretch of weather that is forecast 30's to 40's snow and rain daytime, and below freezing at night. I'm putting it in a top bar hive. Several questions that come in to my head. Are the bees better off in the package or in the hive where I plan to put an internal boardman feeder and a bee-pro patty? How long can you keep bees in a package before you have to hive them? Thanks Adrian.

**treynolds** · 04-10-2008, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by honeyman46408

If you folks would read the artical by "Jennifer Berry" in "Bee Culture" Page 43 you would bee able to install the packages with out SHAKING OR STRESSING THE BEES and hardly any flying.

Another 2¢ from me

Can someone put up this article...It is not on the website, they still have last months as the "current issue". Thanks