Ep 125 Starting with packages

2025-02-01

Tips and thoughts on starting with packages for the first time, or starting again after winter loss. Patron exclusive links over at patreon.com/fiveapple Kamon Reynolds showing both ways to install on YouTube. I thought this was an excellent overview. A non-video tutorial from NC extension -- showing the "shake them out" method...the one you will need to use if the weather is poor or chilly. Rusty Ballew showing the walk-out install method. Her site is always a reliable source of info! Dadant's How-to tutorial on installing. Michael Bush's list of installation mistakes to avoid. He recommends direct queen release..somewhat more risky, use at your own risk tho clearly many people do this. The synthetic comb I mentioned

Tips and thoughts on starting with packages for the first time, or starting again after winter loss. Patron exclusive links over at patreon.com/fiveapple

Kamon Reynolds showing both ways to install on YouTube. I thought this was an excellent overview.
A non-video tutorial from NC extension -- showing the "shake them out" method...the one you will need to use if the weather is poor or chilly.
Rusty Ballew showing the walk-out install method. Her site is always a reliable source of info!
Dadant's How-to tutorial on installing.
Michael Bush's list of installation mistakes to avoid. He recommends direct queen release..somewhat more risky, use at your own risk tho clearly many people do this.
The synthetic comb I mentioned

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About Beekeeping at Five Apple:

Leigh keeps bees in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina (gardening zone 6b). She cares for around a dozen hives in a rural Appalachian highland climate. Colonies are managed for bee health with active selection for vigor, genetic diversity and disease resistance, but without chemical treatments for over a decade. The apiary is self-sustaining (not needing to buy/catch replacement bees since 2010) and produces honey and nucs most every year.

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