[honeybeekeeper]

I installed a bee package today about 6 hrs ago and i been going over in my head if i done everything correctly. I placed the queen cage down in between the frames and wrapped the tab over the frames that it was wedged between. Now im wondering if she is facing the wax foundation and if so can she still get out and is it ok????? Yes the cork was removed and a hole was poked through the candy! i want to know if it will be ok or if i need to fix it??? Thank you very much!!!

 

[Oldbee]

The screened part of the cage should have open space around it so the bees have access to the queen. The hole with the candy should have space also. With foundation it appears you are OK.! The bees won't draw out that comb in 2-3 days until you check that she is released. If it was drawn comb, you wouldn't want the screened area or exit hole to be blocked. It is recommended that the hole be facing up or to the side if the queen has attendants in the cage. Queens that come with packages normally don't have attendants.

 

[honeybeekeeper]

This queen cage had 2-3 bees in with her...The candy was really soft so im assuming that she will be released by tomorrow i say well atleast im hoping...I wanted to have the cage facing away from the foundation so the bees could get to her better. With her facing the foundation i do not know if they can get to her or not! I had a photographic image of the cage in my head all of a sudden and knew that she was facing the foundation because of how i wrapped the tab on each frame. Would you go fix it or wait until tomorrow and do a check to see if she is released????

 

[Oldbee]

It seems to me there is enough space between the foundation and the screen then. The space should be about half the thickness of the top bar--3/8 of an inch. That's enough space. I don't know for sure how softness or hardness of the candy makes a difference as to when the bees can release her ; I suppose it does. It's getting dark; check tomorrow.

 

[honeybeekeeper]

It seems to me there is enough space between the foundation and the screen then. The space should be about half the thickness of the top bar--3/8 of an inch. That's enough space. I don't know for sure how softness or hardness of the candy makes a difference as to when the bees can release her ; I suppose it does. It's getting dark; check tomorrow.

Central ky right now is getting hit pretty hard with a severe thunderstorm and high winds so i think she will be ok...well i hope!!..

 

[whodoctor]

The screen should not be facing the foundation or the comb. It should be perpendicular to it.

 

[Michael B]

Like others have said, the screen should be facing the center of the space between the frames. I ALWAYS install cages with the candy end facing up. A couple of reasons for that. First, there is no change of a dead worker blocking her release, Second, it is easy to inspect to see if she has been release by looking down to the candy and not having to pull frames to see. Third, if she was killed/died in the cage she will still be in there and not have fallen out making it impossible to find.

 

[honeybeekeeper]

Tomorrow i will inspect the hive and make any changes that are necessary to correct the problem! Right now the weather forcast doesnt look too good for this area the next few days. If it stops rainning anytime tomorrow i will take care of it! My next question is: Will she be ok until tomorrow??

 

[honeybeekeeper]

I just got back from checking the hive and the cage was facing the foundation just like i thought it was since i used the tabs to go over the frames. When i went to get the cage out the bees already built comb around the side of the cage and it was attached to the frame, i say another day and the queen would of been surrounded in comb. This is a very friendly batch of bees i must say. I have worked with them smoke free so far, no smoke was even needed. The cage is now facing long ways with the frames so they can get to the queen alot better. They still had alittle room but not like i really would like them to have. So now i will go back in approx 4 days to see if everything is going alright! Thanks for all the help!!!!

 

[blueline]

Got it now.

 

[honeyman46408]

The screen should NOT bee covered :no:

 

[hoodswoods]

A very timely thread! Picked up package late friday, and the storms yesterday (saturday) kept me & the girls inside, so today's the day! Drawn foundation & I probably would have screwed it up. Your points, Michae B, are well taken.

 

[valleyman]

I like to put the cage longways with the frames, with the screen down. In my opinion the new queens phermone can better spread thru the hive. This way a dead worker cannot block the candy end, or at least can be moved out of the way. This works succesfully for me.