When should I hive my new package of bees?
When your bees first arrive they will be thirsty. Give them a drink of water by dipping your bee brush into a bucket of water and then brushing the outside of the bee container. This will leave a water film across the wire and should be sufficient. If they still appear thirsty continue to water. After watering you should check their food supply and replenish as needed. The bees should be placed in a cool dark place to rest and calm down after the trip. The best time to hive your bees is late in the afternoon or early evening. We spray our bees with a sugar water and “Honey-B-Healthy” mixture just prior to hiving. This will calm them down and make them easier to place in the hive. In fact we use this mixture in place of smoking. It’s less intrusive. We will water and feed the bees when they first arrive and care for them until they are picked up. Check with your supplier when you pick them up..