PSUPhoenix (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

The person featured in the video runs 100-200 colonies and takes great pride in his comb honey.

bvtbee (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Awesome video! Do u sell comb honey?

accountabilabuddy1 (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Excellent video! I'm doing 3 colonies today--first timer here. I read the book, and watched the video so to speak. I will refer to your video again just prior to the installation. Thank you for posting, and great job AAA+++

PSUPhoenix (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I guess the most important thing is to make sure the queen is still alive. If you can't find her, look for the presence of newly laid eggs (smaller than rice and stand straight up in cell) which indicates she is likely still in the hive. If you have no queen, I think I'd write the package off as a wildlife loss and combine it with another colony. I know I hate to give up on a new package, given the fact you just spent good money on the package, but it usually the best course of action. Good Luck

PSUPhoenix (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

That is a very interesting adventure. A couple of things come to mind depending on the strength of a colony. First, is it worth trying to save or should it be merged with another colony? As long as you still have the queen and given the fact we are still early in the year the colony should recover with some help. Second, your idea about moving some brood from a stronger colony will help, but as long as the queen is still alive, you may want to focus on moving bees more than brood.

rpalmeri (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Hi, The hive that stung the possum (see my video response) is quite weak. I HOPE they didn't sting their queen to death when their alarm pheromone was triggered. The state extension agent was on my phone within 20 minutes of my posting the video to be sure I didn't get an Africanized colony!So, can I move some frames with brood and nurse bees from the strong hive to the weak hive? Obviously I need to be careful not to move the queen as well!Thanks, RP

PSUPhoenix (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I think you have it. Just be sure the queen cage is placed over the space between frames to allow the workers access to the queen (not directly over the frame). I keep the inner cover with the telescoping outer cover over (not under) the feeder at least until the queen is freed, but usually until the bees are finished feeding. Hope that helps and if you have any other questions, just let me know. Happy to help however I can. Good Luck!

kleinmattahorn (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

I am getting my 3 lb package today. So you install the bee's on top of the frames? That is different way that I have been taught. Looks easier!If I go with your method from what I see:1. Get feeder placed2. lay queen cage to top of frames3. Pour bees on top4. Place newspaper to keep bees from making comb5. Close topQ: do you still install a top board?Am I missing any steps?Thanks for the post

PSUPhoenix (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Great! Keep us posted on how you make out. Not puncturing the candy shouldn't be a big deal. If she is still in there in a couple days you can just open the cage the same way we do on the video. Good Luck!

PSUPhoenix (November 30, 1999 at 12:00 am)

Try looking for a quail feeder. They are slightly smaller than a chicken feeder and seem to work pretty well. If you strike out looking for them, just let me know and I can get you more information.