A package of bees is a unit of bees sold by a bee supplier that typically includes 3 pounds of bees (10,000 bees), an unrelated queen bee (in a separate cage inside the package), and a protected cage or “Package” to keep the bees during transport. The bees are usually packaged with a sugar solution to sustain them during transportation.
The process of preparing a package of bees typically involves the following steps:
Selecting the bees: The beekeeper raises hundreds or thousands of strong colonies exclusively for making packages. They set a package on a scale and shake in about 3 pounds of bees.
Adding the queen: At this time the beekeeper inserts a queen cage with a young, freshly mated queen and often 1 to 3 attendant bees. Often, these queens are artificially inseminated to ensure good genetics and hygienics.
Adding the sugar solution: The package contains a feed can containing a sugar solution (usually a mix of sugar and water) to provide the bees with a steady supply of energy during the transport process.
Capping the package: The package is then capped, to keep the bees inside and prevent them from escaping.
Large apiaries, typically in the south for their longer seasons, make up these packages for beekeepers. Generally, Bee Clubs and/or local/regional suppliers drive down and pick up hundreds of pre-paid packages. They load these packages into climate-controlled trailers or trucks and bring them back for the individual beekeeper to pick up.
Once the individual beekeeper picks up his package or packages, he/she purchased, they bring them to the location of new hives all set up and waiting to be populated. The cover is removed from the package, the feed tin and queen cage removed, and the bees are shaken into the hive. Then the cork is removed from the queen cage exposing a soft candy. The queen cage is inserted between the frames and given 3 to 4 days for the queen to be accepted by the unrelated bees. They eat the candy from the outside while the queen and attendants eat the candy from the inside. Once the candy is gone the escape is exposed and the queen and attendants can enter the hive. By then, hopefully, the bees will be used to her pheromone and accept her. If not, they will kill her!
The most popular and readily available bee packages contain Italian or Carniolan bees. They are good honey producers and most often the gentlest of all bee strains. Other strains are available but usually at a higher cost and harder to find. Every strain has its pros and cons.
Overall, a package of bees is a convenient and cost-effective way for beekeepers to start or expand their beekeeping operation, and it’s a great way to get started with beekeeping if you’re new to the hobby.