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Bee packages, according to beginners, are the same as bee colonies. In fact, this is a blunder. A bee package can be called a family, but it is incomplete and small. In order not to get confused in definitions, it is worth learning more about the secrets of beekeeping.
What is a "bee package"
A more precise definition is as follows: a bee package is a young small colony of bees prepared for sale. The package includes:
- wooden box replacing a hive;
- about 1.5 kg of bees;
- young uterus up to two years old;
- feed – 3 kg;
- frames with printed brood – 2 pcs.
The number of frames can be greater, depending on the configuration. There are also frameless models.
A package is formed from a healthy bee colony. Several frames are removed from the hive, along with food and other bees, and transferred to a prepared box. During the entire period before sale, insects are fed. Bee packages can be transported and sent by postal services.The beekeeper can come to the bee farm himself, choose the colony he likes, and select food. The packages are purchased by beginners and professional beekeepers to increase their bee colonies.
What is the difference between a bee colony and a bee package
The package and the bee colony consists of a full-fledged family, only in the first option it is incomplete. The bee package contains a small number of bees, a queen and is intended for the reproduction of the family. You can only buy it in the spring.
A bee colony consists of a large number of insects that form a coherent family that survives the winter. The family contains bees of different ages: drones, queen, worker insects, brood. You can purchase a bee colony at any time of the year.
A bee colony immediately requires complex care. It is optimal for a novice beekeeper to start with bee packages.
Advantages of using bee packages in beekeeping
The popularity of bags among beekeepers is explained by their advantages:
- the beekeeper receives a young queen, which he does not have to try to breed on his own;
- along with the insects that live in the frames, the bag contains flying bees;
- packages are the best choice for beginners, since little experience in caring for a bee colony can lead to its loss.
If you follow the rules of care, the path from a bee package to a strong family is short. The beekeeper has the opportunity to have highly productive bees of a hardy breed, for example, “Karpatka”.
Types of bee packages
The cost of packages depends on their type, and they can be framed or frameless.
Frame (cellular)
The frame or cellular package is the most convenient, in demand and productive. By standard, it accommodates two large frames. However, it can consist of 4 or 6 Dadan frames. The complete set is pre-agreed with the customer.A frequently requested option is 3 Dadan frames with brood and 1 food. An equally popular option is 2 brood frames and 2 feed combs.
Frameless (honeycombless)
The frameless package consists of 1.2 kg of bees, a young queen, isolated in a small cage. The box contains a feeder and a drinker. Frameless packages are less popular, despite many advantages:
- transporting the package is cheaper;
- in case of illness, less treatment costs are required;
- a month after transplanting into the hive, caring for the developing colony is much easier;
- the beekeeper gets a better overview of the family and can monitor the condition of the queen and the behavior of the bees.
The absence of frames in the package should not scare the beekeeper. Cellular services are easily updated.
How to make a bee package
The advantage of a homemade bee package is that the beekeeper makes it according to his own preference. The basis of the design is a box made to fit the size of the frame. You can assemble it according to the drawing. Experienced beekeepers use personal experience.
You can even adapt a ready-made box made of plywood or fiberboard for the package. Inside there is a feeder, fasteners for frames, and a ventilation hole. Be sure to leave free space between frames. You can make a high-quality bee bag if you know exactly what it consists of.
The most common design option is a box frame made of slats, covered with fiberboard. The box is lightweight and environmentally friendly. Dimensions and wall thickness can be changed at your discretion.
Bee package development
An important stage is the development of a bee package with foundation, and the process begins by installing 4 to 5 honeycombs and three frames with foundation into the hive.Due to the new frames, the nest will begin to grow. Beekeepers often resort to the one-time expansion method. It is based on completely filling a hive with wax that can accommodate 12 frames.
The sockets are assembled in the following order:
- a frame filled with honey is placed at the side wall of the hive;
- the next 6 frames come with alternating honeycomb and foundation;
- Nest 7 is limited by a frame with honey, which serves as a food supply;
- Before the onset of honey harvest, the hive is equipped with a store with honeycombs and foundation.
At the time of installation of the magazine, up to 9 brood frames are formed in the hive. Technology helps bees better prepare for the honey harvest period.
To transplant the package, smoke is blown out from a smoker near the hive. Raise the lid of the house. The bees are brushed into the hive. After installing the package, sweep out the remaining bees from the bottom of the box. When the insects calm down, the queen is placed next to them.
At the initial stage of development, bees do not have enough of their own nectar. The family is fed until the onset of stable heat. During the rapid flowering of honey plants, bees will begin to provide for themselves. After a month, the nest begins to expand. A strong family increases to 7 kg.
Transferring bees from a bee package to a hive
The process of transferring bees into the hive is slightly different for frame and frameless packages. What is common is the preparatory process. The dried and disinfected hive is equipped with a feeder, drinking bowl and other attributes. The bees arriving in the bee package are fed with syrup. Insects are examined to identify diseased individuals during transportation. If everything is fine, proceed to transplantation.
From frameless
The arrived package is sent to a cellar or other cool place for about 7 days. The bees are provided with food and drink. During this time, 3-4 Dadan frames are prepared. The transfer begins from the uterus. In a frameless bag it is isolated inside the cell. The uterus is placed between the frames, but is not released. The opened bag is placed inside the hive. If the boxes don't fit, the bees are simply thrown out. The uterus is released from the cage after a day.
From frame
The frame bee package is relocated in cool weather. The package is placed opposite the hive so that the entrances are located opposite each other. The bees are released. While the insects fly around and look around, the beekeeper rearranges the frames in the hive without changing their arrangement. The queen is moved in after all the bees have calmed down.
Transplanting a bee package into the Dadan hive
Dadan hives are considered successful for replanting bee packages. The procedure consists of the following steps:
- Place a stand near the hive and place the removed lid on it. Next, remove the body with the bees. They put it on the lid. The removed old case is replaced with a new one, covered with a cloth to prevent hypothermia of the nest.
- The bees are smoked out of the removed body using a smoker. The frames are rearranged in the order in which they stood. Dirty and damaged honeycombs should not be placed in a new hive. If there is free space left, foundation is added.
- The remaining bees are carefully swept out with a brush so that they all pour into the new hive. To expand the family, a magazine with frames is installed on the new building.
At the end of the work, the assembled hive is covered with film and insulation, and placed in the same place where it stood before.
Caring for bees after transplantation
After transplanting the bee package, the bees have a critical period for 3 weeks.This happens due to an imbalance in the number of young and adult insects. If the nest is not strengthened with brood combs 2 weeks after transplanting the bee package, most of the package bees will die. There is a threat of uterine change. For reinforcement, frames are taken from other hives with a healthy nest.
According to reviews, the bee package does not develop well if it is frequently examined by the beekeeper, the queen is weak, or she is infected with nosematosis. For preventive purposes, the family is fed with sugar syrup mixed with Fumidil B.
Conclusion
Bee packages will develop well if the beekeeper provides them with proper help and care. If the first experiment was unsuccessful, the attempt can be repeated next spring.
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