Bee Packages: Complete Guide
2025-04-07
Learn what bee packages are, how to install them, and why they’re a practical solution for starting or reinforcing a hive.
Bee packages are a convenient way to start a new hive or strengthen an existing one. Typically, a package includes 3 to 5 pounds of worker bees and a mated queen, shipped in a ventilated container.
Advantages of bee packages
- Easy to transport and install
- Controlled genetics with a selected queen
- No risk of old comb-related diseases
- Perfect for beginners or expanding apiaries
What's inside a bee package
1. A mated queen in a cage with candy plug
2. 10,000–15,000 worker bees
3. Sugar syrup can for feeding during transit
Installing your bee package
1. Prepare the hive with empty frames and sugar syrup.
2. Place the queen cage between the central frames.
3. Gently pour the bees into the hive body.
4. Close the hive and allow 48–72 hours to settle.
5. Check after a week to confirm the queen is accepted and laying.
Helpful tips
- Install in the late afternoon to reduce drifting.
- Feed the colony until local bloom is sufficient.
- Avoid disturbing the bees during the first few days.
Bee packages offer a reliable, controlled, and beginner-friendly way to engage in modern beekeeping.
