[MurphysinLaw]

I think i may have screwed up big time. On Thursday i was hiving my first package. I purchased one of those queen frames from Brushy Mountain. When i pulled the queen out of the package i realized her cage was too small for the queen frame. Instead of just banding her to a frame i opened her cage and released her into the queen frame.....without covering the side hole.

I placed the package into the hive and closed it up.

I didnt realize my mistake until yesterday and the apiary i purchased them from was closed for the weekend. Stachan Apiaries in Yuba City, ca.

I picked them up thursday morning and hived them that evening. What are the chances that the queen was accepted? Or do you think shes dead and i need to pick up a new one ASAP?

I checked the hive today and was unable to locate the queen. Not surprising considering I'm a newbee. They did have some comb built and were really going after the hive top feeder.

 

[JRG13]

Package bees are already introduced to their queen in theory, no need to worry. Its why the queens are suspended with the bees.

 

[MurphysinLaw]

Even if she was placed in the package that morning? I don't know how long most queens sit in a package before they are sold. How long does it take for them to be accepted generally? They do specialize in queen breeding but i like i said i couldn't call and ask.

 

[JRG13]

I would suspect she's still fine but you never know. Did you guage the bees reaction to her at all, that's the most important thing to do.

 

[MurphysinLaw]

There were some clinging to the cage when i pulled her from the package. That's about all the reaction i got.

 

[JRG13]

Keep us updated, I'm betting she's fine though.

 

[merince]

She's probably fine. If you see eggs in the comb they built, you know she's alright.