Content
Bee packages, according to newcomers, are the same as bee colonies. In fact, this is a gross mistake. The bee package can be called a family, but it is incomplete, small. In order not to get confused in the definitions, it is worth getting to know 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 family of bees prepared for sale. The package includes:
- a 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 is larger, depending on the configuration. There are also frameless models.
A packet 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 time before the sale, insects are fed. Bee packages can be transported, sent by postal services. The beekeeper can come to the beekeeping himself, choose the family he likes, pick up food. Packages are bought by beginners and professional beekeepers to increase bee colonies.
What is the difference between a colony and a bee package
The package and the bee colony consists of a full-fledged family, only in the first version it is incomplete. The bee package contains a small number of bees, a queen, and is intended for breeding families. You can buy it only in the spring.
The bee colony consists of a large number of insects that form a well-coordinated family that has survived the winter. The family contains bees of different ages: drones, queen bees, working insects, brood. You can buy a colony of bees at any time of the year.
The bee family immediately needs complex care. It is optimal for a beginner beekeeper to start with bee packages.
Benefits of using bee packages in beekeeping
The popularity of the bags among beekeepers is explained by their advantages:
- the beekeeper receives a young queen, which does not have to be tried to hatch on his own;
- flying bees are found in the bag along with the insects that lurk around the frames;
- bags are the best choice for beginners, as little experience in caring for a bee colony can lead to its loss.
Subject to the rules of care, the path from a bee package to a strong family is short. The beekeeper is given the opportunity to bring in highly productive bees of a hardy breed, for example, "Karpatka".
Types of bee packages
The cost of packages depends on their variety, and they are frame and frameless.
Frame (cellular)
A frame or cellular package is the most convenient, demanded and productive. It accommodates two large frames as standard. However, it can consist of 4 or 6 Dadant frames. The complete set is previously negotiated with the customer. An often demanded option is 3 Dadan frames with brood and 1 feed. An equally popular option is 2 brood frames and 2 forage combs.
Frameless (cellless)
The frameless bag consists of 1.2 kg of bees, a young queen isolated in a small cage. The box contains a feeder and a drinking bowl. Frameless bags are less popular, despite the many advantages:
- transportation of the package is cheaper;
- in the case of diseases, less treatment costs are required;
- a month after transplanting into a hive, caring for a developing family is much easier;
- the beekeeper gets a better view of the family, can monitor the state of the queen and the behavior of the bees.
The lack of frames in the package should not scare the beekeeper. The cellular economy is easily renewable.
How to make a bee package
The advantage of a homemade bee package is that the beekeeper makes it according to his preference. The basis of the construction 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, they equip a feeder, fasteners for frames, a ventilation hole. Be sure to leave free space between the frames. It will be possible to make a high-quality bee package if you know exactly what it consists of.
The most common design option is a frame box made of strips, sheathed with fiberboard. The box is lightweight, environmentally friendly. Dimensions and wall thickness can be changed at your discretion.
Bee package development
An important stage is the development of the bee package with foundation, and the process begins by installing in the hive from 4 to 5 cells and three frames with foundation. Due to the new frames, the nest will begin to grow. Beekeepers often resort to the one-time expansion method. It is based on the complete filling of the beehive with foundation, containing 12 frames.
The sockets are assembled in the following order:
- a frame filled with honey is installed at the side wall of the hive;
- the next 6 frames come with alternating honeycomb and foundation;
- a frame with honey, serving as a forage base, limits the nest 7;
- before the onset of honey collection, the hive is equipped with a store with honeycombs and foundation.
At the time of the store installation, up to 9 brood frames are formed in the hive. The technology helps bees to better prepare for the honey harvesting period.
To transplant a package near the hive, smoke is blown from a smoker. Raise the lid of the house. The bees are brushed into the hive. After installing the bag, the remaining bees are swept out from the bottom of the box. When the insects calm down, the uterus is planted 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 grows up to 7 kg.
Transfer of bees from a bee package to a hive
The process of transplanting bees into a hive is slightly different for frame and frameless bags. The preparatory process is common. The dried and disinfected hive is equipped with a feeder, drinker and other attributes. The bees arriving in the package are fed with syrup. Insects are examined to identify diseased individuals during transportation. If everything is ok, they start the transplant.
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 Dadanov frames are prepared. The shipment starts from the uterus. In a frameless package, it is isolated inside the cell. The uterus is placed between the frames, but not released. The open bag is placed inside the hive. If the box does not fit, the bees are simply poured out. The uterus is released from the cell in a day.
From the framework
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. Bees are released. While the insects are flying around, looking around, the beekeeper rearranges the frames in the hive, without changing their order. The queen bee is added after all the bees have calmed down.
Transfer of a bee package to the Dadan hive
Dadant hives are considered successful for transplanting bee packages. The procedure consists of the following steps:
- A stand is placed near the hive and the removed cover is placed on it.Next, they 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 avoid hypothermia of the nest.
- The bees are smoked out of the removed body with a smoke-hole. The frames are rearranged in the order in which they stood. Dirty and damaged combs are not placed in the new hive. If there is free space, add foundation.
- The remaining bees are gently swept out with a brush so that they are all poured into a new hive. To expand the family, a shop with frames is installed on the new building.
At the end of the work, the assembled hive is covered with foil and insulation, put in the same place where it used to stand.
Bee care after transplant
After transplanting a bee package for 3 weeks, bees have a critical period. This is due to an imbalance in the number of young and adult insects. If in 2 weeks after transplanting the bee package the nest is not reinforced with brood combs, 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 develops poorly with frequent examination by a beekeeper, a weak uterus or its infection with nosematosis. For preventive purposes, the family is fed with sugar syrup mixed with "Fumidila B".
Conclusion
Bee packages will develop well if the beekeeper provides them with proper assistance and care. If the first experiment is unsuccessful, the attempt can be repeated next spring.
Testimonials
