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I installed two packages on Saturday. I've read to check that the queen has been released in three days and I've also read to keep out of the hive for ten days. Which is correct?
ks
ks
I'm inclined to wait ten days. What happens if the queen isn't released at ten days? I had two packages. One had candy under the cork and one didn't. I put a whole mini marshmallow in it. It seemed pretty solid.It's not that one is right or wrong. I prefer to just leave them for 10 days or two weeks. Only once I checked back in 10 days or so and the queen wasn't out.
Cold and rainy days mean crawling bees instead of flying ones. Get in the habit of shrugging and tugging your jacket on days like that. I often have a dozen or more bees "hanging out" on days like that.Today was ten days. We had 3.25 inches of rain and it's 46 degrees. The forecast is more of the same, finally warming up on Friday. It stopped raing for about a half hour so I lit the smoker and suited up. Bees were not happy. I slid five frames to the side and pulled only the frame I rubber banded the queen cage to. Both queens released, comb started on a couple of frames. Didn't check for eggs or larvae to keep it short, in and out in maybe five minutes for both hives. Happy camper here. I'll have to develop the habit of frisking myself for bees before I go in the house. I brought three with me this time and one after the install.
ks