Hi. First-time keeper. Two new hives. Installation of first package perfect. Second package, had a cluster of bees draw wax on to and in package. Queen released but don't know if she is in the hive box or the package. Put feeder tray on top of frames, covered, put package outside hive in front of fully-opened entrance yesterday. Overnight bees clustered into tight mass in package. 54 degrees here, rain coming, what should I do?
cluster of bees on starter package
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> Overnight bees clustered into tight mass in package.
Shake the bees out of the package into the hive. Take the package box away from the hive to someplace the bees cannot access it.
If you are feeling adventuresome, you could use 'rubber bands' to hold the comb from the package box into frames temporarily. The bees will likely attach the comb to the frames.
> Overnight bees clustered into tight mass in package.
Shake the bees out of the package into the hive. Take the package box away from the hive to someplace the bees cannot access it.
If you are feeling adventuresome, you could use 'rubber bands' to hold the comb from the package box into frames temporarily. The bees will likely attach the comb to the frames.
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Welcome LP! If the queen is still in the package you need to cut the package apart and get her in your hive. The queen is probably where the most bees are.
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