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HIVING PACKAGE BEES <br /> • If you are hiving a nuc and not a package of bees, then skip to the section called "Hiving Nucs." <br /> Transport <br /> It is fine to transport a package in the cab of a vehicle and easier on the bees if outside temperatures are <br /> below 60°F. Cold wind can whip through the package mesh, chilling the bees. If there are any bees on the <br /> outside of the package, gently brush them off with a bee brush or a bouquet of grass. Don't panic if a few bees <br /> escape as they generally fly to the windows. <br /> Care of the Package After Arrival <br /> Keep the package in a dark, quiet place, preferably at 50-70°F, taking care not to chill or overheat them. Don't <br /> block airflow to the package bees. Provide plenty of feed by periodically spraying 1:1 sugar syrup on the <br /> screen cage every 4-6 hours, but don't drown the bees. <br /> Hive the bees as soon as possible. It is best to hive them in the late afternoon. Bees do not fly at night so they <br /> will stay put if hived later in the day. It is fine to hive a package in the morning if the weather is cool (below <br /> 55°F). You can wait a day to hive the package in the case it is raining or snowing, or for personal logistics. <br /> Continue to keep the package in a dark, quiet place and spray sugar syrup on the cage every 4-6 hours. <br /> How to Hive Package Bees <br /> • See Figure 29 for step-by-step management instructions. <br /> Preparation <br /> • Do not use smoke when hiving package bees, but do wear a veil if this is your first time handling <br /> bees. We encourage you to learn to keep bees without gloves, which helps you move more slowly <br /> and carefully. But to begin with confidence, you may choose to wear gloves that give you fine-motor <br /> dexterity (like rubber kitchen gloves). <br /> • Place a cork in the 1" hole of the deep box. <br /> • Position the entrance reducer using the smallest opening with the entrance facing down. Plug this <br /> opening loosely with grass when hiving packages on warm and/or sunny days, to help keep the bees <br /> inside temporarily. <br /> • Remove four frames from the center of the hive body. <br /> • Take a deep breath and slow down. Be ready to take a video or pictures to commemorative the <br /> experience. This is fun! <br /> Spraying Sugar Syrup <br /> • Spray the package bees liberally with light sugar syrup. <br /> • Thump the package sharply to knock bees to the bottom of the cage. <br /> • Carefully pry the feeder can from the package using your hive tool, and set aside. <br /> • Remove the queen cage from the package and check to make sure the queen is alive. Put the queen <br /> • cage in a safe place. If you are hiving on a cold day, it's good to keep the queen in your pocket to keep <br /> her warm. <br /> • Spray bees in the package with more sugar syrup. <br /> Beekeeping in Northern Climates 31 <br />