4.2 New & Overwintered Colonies
4.2 New & Overwintered Colonies
New Colonies
New colonies, whether created by buying packages or nucs or making splits, are typically started in the spring. Packages should be scheduled to arrive 6-8 weeks before nectar flow begins, which will vary depending on your geographic location.
Packages should be scheduled to arrive 6-8 weeks before nectar flow begins.
Two major concerns after installing a new colony are making sure that it has:
- Sufficient food
- Sufficient space
Reasons for New Hive Failure
Hives started from packages sometimes fail to thrive. There are a number of reasons for this:
- Queen is replaced by her colony, prolonging hive development.
- Queen is unmated.
- Queen suffers damage during shipment or installation.
- Beekeeper disturbs the hive too often.
- Bees starve.
- Bees are infected with disease or mites.
- Bees abandon the hive.
Note
Bees are often unable to locate their hive immediately after they are installed into it, so expect some degree of "drifting." Drifting may be worse when several packages are installed into several hives simultaneously within the same apiary.
Move on to the next page to learn the five steps to help you establish your new hive successfully!
Lesson List
- 4.2 New & Overwintered Colonies Duration:
- Caring for a New Colony Duration:
- Overwintered Colonies Duration:
- 4.3 Spring Splits Duration:
- Nucleus Colony Duration:
- Double-Screen Split Duration:
- 4.4 Swarming Duration:
- Preparing to Swarm Duration:
- Minimizing Swarms Duration:
- 4.5 Check Your Learning Duration:
Teachers Info
Bee doctor
- Website: http://www.example.com
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