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Bee packages, according to beginners, are the same as bee colonies. In fact, this is a gross mistake. You can call the bee package family, but it is incomplete, small. In order not to get confused in the definitions, it is worth getting to know the secrets of beekeeping in more detail.
What is a “bee bag”
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 the beehive;
- 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 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, 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 bee 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 family reproduction. 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 survived the winter. The colony contains bees of different ages: drones, queen bees, working insects, brood. You can buy a bee colony at any time of the year.
The bee colony immediately needs complex care. It is optimal for a beginner beekeeper to start with bee packages.
Benefits of using bee bags in beekeeping
The popularity of bags among beekeepers is explained by their advantage:
- the beekeeper receives a young uterus, which you do not need to try to breed on your own;
- along with the insects that sit on the frames, flying bees come across in the package;
- bags are the best choice for beginners, as little experience in caring for a colony can lead to 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 have 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 framed and frameless.
Framework (cellular)
The frame or honeycomb package is the most convenient, popular and productive. According to the standard, it accommodates two large frames. However, it may consist of 4 or 6 Dadan frames. The complete set is previously negotiated 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 feeding combs.
Frameless (cellless)
The frameless package consists of 1,2 kg of bees, a young queen, isolated in a small cage. There is a feeder and drinker in the box. Frameless bags are less popular, despite many advantages:
- package transportation is cheaper;
- in case of diseases, less treatment costs are required;
- a month after transplanting into the hive, caring for a developing family is much easier;
- the beekeeper gets a better overview of the colony, can follow the condition of the queen and the behavior of the bees.
The absence of frames in the package should not frighten the beekeeper. Cellular economy is easily updated.
How to make a bee bag
The advantage of a homemade bee bag is that the beekeeper makes it according to his preference. The basis of the design is a box made to fit the dimensions of the frames. You can collect it according to the drawing. Experienced beekeepers use personal experience.
Under the package, you can even adapt a ready-made box made of plywood or fiberboard. Inside, they equip a feeder, fasteners for frames, an air vent. 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 box frame made of slats, sheathed with fiberboard. The box is lightweight and environmentally friendly. Dimensions and wall thickness can be changed at your discretion.
Development of the bee package
An important stage is the development of a bee packet with foundation, and the process begins by installing 4 to 5 combs and three frames with foundation in the hive. Due to the new framework, the nest will begin to grow. Beekeepers often resort to the one-time extension method. It is based on the complete filling of foundation with a beehive containing 12 frames.
The nests 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;
- nest 7 is limited by a frame with honey, which serves as a food base;
- before the onset of honey collection, the hive is equipped with a store with honeycombs and foundation.
At the time of installing the store in the hive, up to 9 brood frames are formed. The technology helps the bees to better prepare for the honey harvest period.
To transplant the package near the hive, smoke is blown from the smoker. Raise the lid of the house. The bees are brushed into the hive. After installing the package, the remaining bees are swept from the bottom of the box. When the insects calm down, the uterus is planted 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, the bees will begin to provide for themselves. A month later, the nest begins to expand. A strong family increases to 7 kg.
Transplanting bees from a bee package to a hive
The process of transplanting bees into the hive is slightly different for the frame and frameless package. General is the preparatory process. A dried and disinfected hive is equipped with a feeder, drinker and other attributes. The bees arriving in the bee package are fed with syrup. Insects are inspected to identify diseased individuals during transportation. If everything is fine, proceed to the transplant.
From frameless
The arrived package is sent to the 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 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 package is placed inside the hive. If the box does not fit, the bees are simply poured out. The uterus is released from the cage in a day.
From the framework
The frame bee package is relocated in cool weather. The package is placed in front of the hive so that the entrances are located opposite each other. The bees are released. While the insects are flying around, looking around, the beekeeper rearranges the frames in the hive without changing their order. The uterus is settled after calming down all the bees.
Transplanting a bee package to the Dadan hive
Hives of Dadan 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. The next to 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 with a smoker from the removed case. The frames are rearranged in the order in which they stood. Dirty and damaged combs are not put in a new hive. If space remains, wax is added.
- The remaining bees are carefully brushed out so that they are all poured into a new hive. To expand the family, a store with frames is placed on the new building.
At the end of the work, the assembled hive is covered with a film and insulation, put in the same place where it used to stand.
Caring for bees after transplantation
After transplanting the bee package for 3 weeks, the bees have a critical period. 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 the transplantation of the bee packet, most of the packet bees will die. There is a threat of changing the uterus. For reinforcement, frames are taken from other hives with a healthy nest.
According to reviews, the bee package does not develop well with frequent inspection by the beekeeper, a weak uterus or its infection with nosematosis. For preventive purposes, the family is fed with sugar syrup mixed with Fumidil B.
Conclusion
Bee packs will develop well if the beekeeper provides them with proper assistance and care. If the first experiment was unsuccessful, the attempt can be repeated next spring.
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