Getting ready for your first shipment of honeybees is both thrilling and nerve-wracking. You’re about to start a fascinating, rewarding hobby that connects you directly to the environment. But as exciting as this new venture is, careful preparation is required for a smooth transition for your bees and a stress-free experience for you.
Whether you’re a beekeeping pro or new to the hobby, you need to follow some important steps. Learn how to prepare for your first shipment of honeybees so you can safely handle your new buzzing friends when they arrive.
Why Preparation Matters
Bringing bees home isn’t as simple as opening a box and letting them loose in your yard. In reality, bees are living, sensitive creatures whose health and survival depend on how prepared you are to meet their needs. The first few days in their new home are critical, as the bees need time to settle in and begin establishing their foundation.
When you handle this process correctly, you’ll lay the groundwork for a happy, productive colony. By understanding what bees need and having your equipment ready in advance, you’ll make their transition smooth and set yourself up for success as a beginner beekeeper. Looking for supplies? The B Farm has local bee nucs for sale and other items necessary for beekeeping success.
Step 1. Confirm the Details of Your Bee Delivery
The first step in preparation begins well before your bees arrive. If you’ve purchased bees from a trusted source like The B Farm or a local apiary, you’ll need to confirm the details of your order.
Type of Bees
Determine whether you’re receiving a bee package (a group of worker bees with a queen in a separate cage) or a nuc (short for nucleus colony, which is a small, preestablished colony with a queen, brood, and comb).
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Pickup or Delivery Date
Most suppliers arrange specific dates for you to pick up your bees or deliver them to your location. Mark this date on your calendar and clear your schedule for it.
Condition of Shipment
Bee shipments are time-sensitive and weather-dependent. If you’re picking them up, transport them back home as quickly as possible. If shipped, check that the package looks well-ventilated and avoid delays in getting them to your apiary.
By planning ahead and knowing exactly when and how your bees will arrive, you’ll avoid unnecessary stress on the bees.
Step 2. Set Up Your Hive Before the Bees Arrive
Having your hive ready and waiting is one of the most important steps in this process. Your bees will need a clean, prepared home to move into immediately after arrival.
Make sure you’ve gathered and assembled your hive components, which typically include:
- Hive boxes: These form the main structure of the colony. Start with one deep brood box.
- Frames and foundation: Assemble your frames, then secure the foundation in place, as this will give the bees their base for building comb.
- Bottom board: This forms the base of the hive.
- Inner and outer cover: These covers protect the bees from the elements.
Next, it’s time to prime the hive. Your bees won’t have the resources they need to sustain themselves right away, so you’ll need to place a feeder inside the hive and fill it with sugar syrup.
To make the syrup, mix a one-to-one ratio of sugar and water (one pound of sugar per one pint of water). Heat the water gently to dissolve the sugar, then cool the syrup before pouring it into the feeder. Providing this food source guarantees your bees have the energy they need to start working.
Step 3. Place the Hive in a Bee-Friendly Location
Choose a proper location for your hive in advance. A good spot should have:
- Plenty of sunlight: Bees are more active in light warmth.
- Wind protection: Place the hive next to a natural windbreak, such as shrubs or a fence.
- Water access: Bees need water daily, so provide them with a shallow water source nearby.
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Step 4. Gather the Right Gear for Handling Bees
Handling bees requires basic protective clothing and tools, even if the bees appear docile. You want to protect yourself while also working calmly and efficiently around your bees. Make sure you’ve gathered the following gear before your shipment arrives:
- Bee suit or jacket with veil: This gear protects your face and body from stings.
- Gloves: Hand protection keeps you safe, although experienced beekeepers often forego gloves for better dexterity.
- Smoker and fuel: These items calm the bees during handling, making them less defensive.
- Hive tool: A multipurpose hive tool is handy for separating frames, scraping wax, and manipulating hive components.
Test your gear ahead of time. Wear your protective equipment to get comfortable with it, and make sure your tools are working and within reach.
Step 5. Install Your Bees Safely
When the big day arrives, you’ll need to install your bees into their new hive. This process can vary slightly depending on whether you purchased a package or a nuc.
Installing a Bee Package
- Spray the bees lightly with sugar water to keep them calm.
- Remove the queen’s cage from the package carefully.
- Hang her cage in the center of your hive frames, removing the cork to allow her release over the next few days.
- Shake the remaining bees gently into the hive. Most will follow the queen and settle inside.
Installing a Nuc
- Place the nucleus box next to your hive.
- Gently transfer frames from the nuc into your hive, keeping their orientation the same. Start from the center and work your way out.
- Place additional empty frames to fill gaps if needed.
After installation, replace the inner and outer covers of your hive and give the bees some time to settle without interference.
Step 6. Monitor and Care for Your Bees
Your work doesn’t stop after installation. Over the next few days and weeks, you’ll need to monitor the colony to maintain bee health and progress.
- Feed bees regularly: Keep their feeder stocked with sugar syrup until you see the bees foraging independently.
- Check for the queen: Within a week, confirm that the queen has been released from her cage and that she’s laying eggs.
- Inspect the hive: Perform a quick hive inspection every seven to 10 days to make sure the bees are building comb and appearing active.
Create a Buzzworthy Start With The B Farm
By understanding how to prepare for your first shipment of honeybees, you’ll make this milestone as smooth as possible for you and your bees. If you’re in need of local, high-quality bees to get started, connect with The B Farm for gear specially curated for beekeepers like you. Explore our options today, and take your first steps toward a thriving apiary!
