April and May are the times in Northern Illinois to receive packages of bees for installation in new hives, or replacement of losses in existing hives. There are several different methods that have been used by members of the Cook DuPage Beekeepers Association with success. If you have taken classes, you have been schooled in the art of package installation. If you have read the various beekeeping books, it is described to various levels of clarity. If you have done it before, it’s like riding a bicycle.
In any event, it’s good to have a refresher look at bee package installation.
For a very good video of installing a package of bees in the “direct inside” method, click here for a YouTube view of installation.
To view and download the PowerPoint slides from the March 2011 meeting, click here.
For a bare bones check list of the tools and steps involved in installing the package, click here.