![]() Check with your local ordinances before attempting to capture wild bees.ĭecide which method of getting bees is right for you based on your local circumstances. Some states may have laws about what is considered property, and if the tree limb is on your neighbor’s yard, taking those bees may be considered stealing. The queen may have been injured or killed and is often difficult to locate among wild bees.Īlso, just because you can see it doesn’t mean that you can take it. Wild bees can carry disease or have weak genetic material. However, sometimes free isn’t always better. Transfer bees from the container to a hive by gently shaking them toward it. They can also be directed toward it by puffing smoke behind them, encouraging them to move in the opposite direction (toward the container). Bees on a flat surface or fence post can be guided into a container by gently brushing them with cardboard, as you would with a dustpan. It may also be a good idea to carry sugar-water syrup and/or a smoker to calm down any ill-tempered bees.īees on tree limbs can be collected by cutting the limb and gently placing or shaking the limb inside a container. Regardless, always be sure to wear proper clothing. ![]() Collecting a swarm isn’t hard, as the bees tend to be mild-mannered. Swarming is a natural tendency of honey bees and occurs most commonly in the spring. Often, bees will divide their colonies because the growing colony needs more room. The clusters of bees occasionally seen in the wild are called swarms. However, this approach is a bit riskier than package bees, as the honeycomb can spread pests and disease from the donor hive to your hive.Ĭonsult a local beekeeping association to find out the best place to buy healthy bees in your area. Purchasing a nuc gives you a jump start in colony growth. A nucleus (commonly called a “nuc”) is a half-size colony. The most common size is a 5 frame nuc. You are receiving 5 frames of comb, bees, honey, a queen, and brood (baby bees). ![]() Nucleus Hive: You can also order a nucleus hive.The worker bees become familiar with the new queen as they slowly eat their way through the food plug in her cage. The most common method of queen introducing is using the indirect method.She travels safely inside a special cage within your package of bees. Most packages will contain a queen, multiple workers, and a feeder filled with sugar syrup. The bee supplier should provide you with information on installing the package bees into their new home and introducing the queen bee to the workers. Package Bees: To order a package of bees, contact a local beekeeper supply or local beekeeping association.The two most common ways to receive bees are: package bees or a nucleus hive. Buying Beesįor the beginner beekeeper, buying bees is the easiest and safest way to start an apiary. In order for a colony to survive, it needs all three types of bees.Ī drone bee (center) is larger than the workers (surrounding), but smaller than the queen (not pictured). The queen is responsible for all of the genetic traits within a colony. She lays eggs and is the mother of all.They are larger than worker bees, but smaller than the queen. Drones are males, and their sole responsibility is to mate with a queen.Worker bees are females and are responsible for a variety of activities, such as tending the queen and her eggs, building comb, guarding the hive’s entrance, and collecting food.Beekeeping 101: Common Bee Pests and Diseases ![]()
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