I've seen some very poor packages over the years, the last couple have been particularly bad. Some things to look for when receiving a package of bees.
1. Unless the package was exposed to extreme conditions there should be less than a 1/2" layer of dead bees on the bottom of the cage. Look at the dead bees on the bottom and make sure they don't have twisted wings and/or short abdomens (DWV). Look for mites.
2. Make sure the queen is alive in the cage.
3. Weigh the package before and after install. You should have 3# of bees, NOT 2 or 2 1/2. You should get what you pay for. Don't buy into the nonsense that they can lose weight in travel, unless its empty that's what the syrup can is for.
4. The package should only have a few drones. Not a frame or 2! You'll know when you do your first inspection. The drones have a tendency to congregate on the outside frames.
5. On the 8th or 9th day (before capped brood) after install place a sheet of paper/sticky board/or tray under the bees and treat them with an oxalic acid dribble in the evening when the bees are done foraging. Count the dead mites in about 48hrs., if there's only a few great! You've given them a clean start and much better chances of surviving the winter. If there's hundreds (which I've seen) they already have big problems and need to be retreated until the mite count is low. To me this is unacceptable and packages should have low mite counts.
If you have any of these problems take pictures and notify the supplier, they should know. Some make good on it and others do not. The queens in packages are mass produced budget queens, they should be requeened or superceded before the end of summer.
1. Unless the package was exposed to extreme conditions there should be less than a 1/2" layer of dead bees on the bottom of the cage. Look at the dead bees on the bottom and make sure they don't have twisted wings and/or short abdomens (DWV). Look for mites.
2. Make sure the queen is alive in the cage.
3. Weigh the package before and after install. You should have 3# of bees, NOT 2 or 2 1/2. You should get what you pay for. Don't buy into the nonsense that they can lose weight in travel, unless its empty that's what the syrup can is for.
4. The package should only have a few drones. Not a frame or 2! You'll know when you do your first inspection. The drones have a tendency to congregate on the outside frames.
5. On the 8th or 9th day (before capped brood) after install place a sheet of paper/sticky board/or tray under the bees and treat them with an oxalic acid dribble in the evening when the bees are done foraging. Count the dead mites in about 48hrs., if there's only a few great! You've given them a clean start and much better chances of surviving the winter. If there's hundreds (which I've seen) they already have big problems and need to be retreated until the mite count is low. To me this is unacceptable and packages should have low mite counts.
If you have any of these problems take pictures and notify the supplier, they should know. Some make good on it and others do not. The queens in packages are mass produced budget queens, they should be requeened or superceded before the end of summer.
