Getting ready for package bees

Time to start rebuilding the bee colonies in the apiaries after the winter losses.  Here are some pictures as we prepare for the arrival of the package bees.    We spent the winter preparing the hives at our building.

Each replacement hive has 2 to 3 frames of honey, a frame or 2 of pollen, at least 3 frames of drawn comb (for the new queen to lay in immediately) and 2 frames of foundation which the bees will need to build their wax comb on.

Most of our apiaries are set up with 4 colonies (hives) on a pallet. 

(PS: if anyone has any spare good pallets my supply is running very low :) 

We try to run between 25 to 30 hives per apiary

All entrances entrances are closed with the working mans secret weapon (duct tape).  This will prevent the existing hives from robbing the honey we have placed into the replacement hives.

 Garrett is also inserting boards which close off the screened bottom boards until the weather warms up.  We have started cycling some screened bottom boards into our system as we replace and buy new equipment.  Screened bottom boards are supposed to help improve colony health.

Apiary ready and waiting the arrival of the packages