My first bee installation!

April 2011

I just published my first package bee installation.  I did this little project in April of 2011 and used an inferior camera to record the project.  The bees were about 2 weeks late and I think this was due to some inclement weather in California, which delayed their spring build up.  I constructed my own Warre hive during the winter and cleared out a small place next to our tenant's hive (tenant's at that time - they have since moved back into town).

Ramona was out of town and Carlton was not at home either.  So, unfortunately, I did the deed on my own.  But it was still an amazing experience on a beautiful spring day.  After I dumped the bees, I had thousands of them buzzing in the air around me and the hive.  They weren't the least bit aggressive and I got to witness some of them perform their jobs.

It didn't take long for them to recognize the entrance to the hive and that this would be their new home.  The queen's presence in the frames told them this.  So, in due course, I witnessed bees scenting at the entrance to inform the lolly-gaggers that this was where they were supposed to live.  Also, later in this series you will see a young bee remove a dead bee from the landing board.  The young lady that removed the dead bee from the landing board had to wrest her charge from "Ed" who was trying to pull the dead bee into the hive.  Oh well, I hope "Ed" learned how to do her job correctly.

Part 1 - Bee Delivery, Set up the sugar water, Install the queen, and Dump the bees.
http://youtu.be/Rmg5wtPFDhw

Part 2 - I added two boxes to the hive and covered the hive with the quilt and the top.
http://youtu.be/MzXMcTV_WoY

Part 3 - I opened up the package the bees were delivered in to make it easier for the remaining bees to access the hive.
http://youtu.be/LuZWCFLblHo

Part 4 - Some post installation observations.
http://youtu.be/UsGbYwsJXaI