by Bee packages are one of the methods of forming an apiary or expanding it. This method is used only in spring. Bee packages are formed in different ways and come in two main types: honeycomb and honeycomb-less. The type of package determines the features of its transplantation into the hive.
What it is?
Beekeeping is a commercial project, so not only the products of bees’ life activity, but also the insects themselves become objects of sale.
During the season, the number of bees in the hives increases greatly (in swarms or worker colonies). The surplus individuals are put up for sale, forming bee packages. They include a certain number of bees that form a young but independent family.
According to the standards, the set includes a fertile queen bee, aged from 1 to 2 years, 1.3 – 1.5 kg of healthy and strong bees, two frames with sealed bee brood, 3 – 4 kg of food (depending on how far the family will be transported) and a container for transportation.
The package is purchased and formed only in the spring period (late April – early May):
- At first, at this time all individuals are available.
- Second, the The bees are full of energy and have produced many colonies.
- Third, so that the new settlers could settle into their new place, start feeding themselves, get stronger and start producing honey.
Throughout the entire migration, the insects are provided with adequate food and water.
A bee package is formed from a part of a healthy bee family. They are created for one purpose – sale. For example, Buckfast bee packages are very popular. Insects of this breed are distinguished by their peaceful nature, high honey production and normal wintering.
Difference from a bee colony
A bee colony is an organized community with a complex hierarchy. It is headed by a queen bee, who is subordinate to several thousand worker representatives with an underdeveloped reproductive system, and hundreds of drones – males.
The insect community is organically connected to each other, and each member performs certain functions. Bees exchange signals and sounds, exchange pheromones and food. Therefore, individuals cannot exist separately.
Each “honey-bearing” family that has survived one year has its own individual smell, nest propolis, productivity, tendency to aggression, and resistance to diseases.
The division of a family (nuclei) is possible when the second or third queen is born, which will form “subjects” around itself. Formation of high-quality bee packages is possible in a large apiary, with strong bee families.
That is why it is important for the buyer to personally verify the health of the future “livestock” and select the appropriate feed.
How is a bee package formed?
In order not to harm the insects and not to be bitten by bees, you need special equipment: a box, a smoker, a brush, a chisel and an old pillow.
Instructions:
- We place a container next to the hive and remove the lid;
- We shake the insects off the canvas, after having smoked a little on the hive;
- Using a chisel, carefully remove the frames so as not to harm the honey plants;
- We place the queen with the frame on the pillow;
- We take out one feed frame and 2-3 frames with sealed brood, filling the surface from bar to bar;
- From one frame, the bees are shaken into a bag (some of the flying bees will return to the hive);
- After 6 hours, we place the queen in a special cage with the rest of the bee family.
After manipulations with the “seedlings” we add one frame with warm food, a frame with dry bees and two with wax foundation to the main family, placing them every other one with brood. We close the hive.
Bee packages can be combined (if selected from several families) and non-combined. In this case, one family is divided into several divisions. Such a set is possible only from a very strong family.
Types
According to their design and materials, the containers for transporting “packages” are divided into frame and frameless. They can be made independently from plywood, chipboard and corrugated cardboard. The dimensions of the bee packages are agreed upon with the customer.
Honeycomb frame
The most common type is the Dadan-Blatt honeycomb frame bee package (435×300 mm). It is named after its founder and developer, who adapted the portable hive for northern regions. Subsequently, the universal design became widespread among beekeepers.
It is a “constructor” of interchangeable parts. It consists of 3-5 frames, which include 3 pieces with brood, and the rest with food (depending on the distance of transportation).
Cellular frameless
Bee packages are assembled from a queen bee placed in a special cage, a feeder containing sugar syrup or candy (a plastic mass consisting of sugar and honey), and 1.5 kg of bees.
The boxes consist of two grids on the sides, and are hermetically sealed on the other sides.
This type of shipment has a number of advantages compared to frame delivery:
- First, the the costs of preventing diseases of bee colonies are reduced,
- Second, the transportation and the packages themselves are significantly cheaper than cellular ones.
- Third, The individual behavior of queen bees can be clearly seen in the container, which affects the further development of the family.
Contents of the bee package
Bee packages are transported in special hive boxes. Plywood or chipboard are most often used for their manufacture, and corrugated cardboard is less common. One package can contain 1,2-1,5 kg of insects, 3 kg of feed and sealed brood (2 large frames).
If a bee package is selected from several families, it is called a composite. To create it, brood of different ages is used – most of it must be closed.
When forming a non-collective bee package, one bee family is divided into several divisions. One division is one bee package. This option is appropriate if the bee family is quite strong.
The bee package is usually assembled at the end of April or the beginning of May after the bee colonies have reached full strength and a large brood has formed.
After the insects are transplanted from the bee packages, a critical period begins, which usually lasts up to 2-3 weeks. This is due to the ratio of young and adult individuals.
Losses are observed during the formation of bee larvae, a quiet change of the queen is possible. To avoid this, reinforcement of the hive with mature sealed brood will help. It is better to do this 2 weeks after the bee package is transplanted.
The productivity of the transplanted bee package will depend on the timing of the start of the main honey flow. The later it starts, the more strength the insects will have time to build up.
Transferring insects from bee packages to a hive
While waiting for the insects, it is necessary to prepare their new home – a hive. It should be dry, without cracks and equipped with a drinker and feed – sugar syrup. This way the bees will recover from the move more easily. Wax foundation is placed in the hives, at the rate of 1.5 kg of animals five standard or seven multi-hull frames, which are limited by a diaphragm.
The insects are then examined for diseases. The long journey and cramped conditions in the bee package can provoke diseases in them.
The methods of relocating insects depend on the package in which they were transported:
Cellular package
The process of settling from such a package occurs in cool weather. The entrances are placed opposite the hive. While the bees fly and look around in a new place, the beekeeper must put the frames in the box in the same order in which the bees were transported. Those insects that did not fly must be carefully shaken into a house from the bee package.
The queen bee is released from the bag only when all the inhabitants have adapted.
Cellular-free package
Before the bees arrive, it is necessary to prepare Dadan-Blatt frames. Before moving the honey plants from the bee package to the hive, they are placed in a cool place (cellar) for several days, providing them with food and drink.
Then the lid of the bee package is slightly opened and the cage with the queen is found. It is slightly opened and placed between the frames in the hive. The remaining bees are poured into the house in the package. After a few days, the bee package can be removed from the hive and the queen released.
Transportation Features
When transporting a bee package, certain precautions are necessary to avoid damaging the insects.
They must be transported taking into account the following factors:
- Structural stability. The body is more stable if it is fully equipped with frames. Otherwise, they need to be secured so as not to harm the insects. It is also important to secure the bee packages in the transport used for transportation. The hive should not wobble.
- Proper organization of ventilation. During transportation, it is necessary to maintain the optimal temperature conditions in the family. Ventilation should be organized so that insects cannot get out of the hive.
- Optimal temperature conditions. In the hive, it is maintained not only by ventilation, but also by environmental conditions. Extreme heat or cold should be excluded. On hot days, optimal hours should be chosen for transportation, preferably in the evening, since the bee package should be transplanted into the hive at this time.
- Calm Bee packages should be transported carefully, avoiding strong shaking. If possible, choose a smoother road. It is important to move at a moderate speed.
- Providing insects with food and water. This measure is necessary during long-term transportation.
- Flyby. Bees need this measure if transportation takes several days (2-3).
Conclusion
To successfully engage in beekeeping, such an exciting and profitable business, learn as much information as possible about the intricacies of the craft from “experienced” beekeepers. And then “salary twice a year” from the sale of honey and bee packages will be guaranteed.
