Installing Packages in Light Rain

3773 Views 7 Replies 7 Participants Last post by BeeGurl, Apr 25, 2014

woodedareas

Discussion Starter · Apr 25, 2014

I will be receiving my packages in a few days and the weather report states 60% showers for the day i receive them, and a couple of days after wards Temperature about 50. I have never had to install in the rain and wonder if this is problematic. I plan to keep them dry until I shake them into the hives. Does anyone have any suggestions as I should do as I do not want to harm the bees as they have enough issues to deal with in a new hive.
Thanks

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Oldtimer

· #2 · Apr 25, 2014

It can be done but if it's raining & 50 you don't want to get them too wet or you'll likely have losses of at least some of the bees. Some people wet the bees when installing but in this case you'd be better to find a way to do it without getting them wet.

How many packages you doing and what methods have you used in the past?

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drlonzo

· #3 · Apr 25, 2014

woodedareas said:
I will be receiving my packages in a few days and the weather report states 60% showers for the day i receive them, and a couple of days after wards Temperature about 50. I have never had to install in the rain and wonder if this is problematic. I plan to keep them dry until I shake them into the hives. Does anyone have any suggestions as I should do as I do not want to harm the bees as they have enough issues to deal with in a new hive.
Thanks

If you are installing into Deep Hive bodies you could always use the NO-Shake method of installing the bees. Keeps them dry for the most part and no bees in the air too. Then a day later go back in and take out the package cage and put the rest of the frames in.

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woodedareas

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 25, 2014

I will be receiving about 8 packages and fortunately received some last week when it was not raining. I usually remove 3-4 frames, shake bees insert queen cage with marshmallow, replace frames and leave alone. I go back later and fill top feeders through a screened inner cover.

Oldtimer said:
It can be done but if it's raining & 50 you don't want to get them too wet or you'll likely have losses of at least some of the bees. Some people wet the bees when installing but in this case you'd be better to find a way to do it without getting them wet.

How many packages you doing and what methods have you used in the past?

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Michael Bush

· #5 · Apr 25, 2014

I have installed them in the rain. Moderate rain. Light rain would be easier...

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Ian

· #6 · Apr 25, 2014

Best time to hive packages, eliminates drifting. As long as you shake them into a dry box they will stay put.

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JohnBeeMan

· #7 · Apr 25, 2014

Best way I have found to install packages eliminates flying bees and can be done in about any weather.

Place an empty hive body between bottom board and brood area. Remove the queen cage and place it between two frames in brood area. Remove syrup can and place package box in empty hive body and brood box with queen over top. Close hive and return 24 hours later and remove empty hive body and empty package box.

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BeeGurl

· #8 · Apr 25, 2014

I installed a nuc in the rain today. I had no other choice. It was solid drizzle with thunder. I didn't waste any time looking for the queen or checking out the brood pattern. Shortly after was an almighty storm. As soon as the storm came up, every last one went into the hive so as Ian said, less drifting!

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