The first year, I set up two hives, using the same packages I bought this year. The bees got established but they left in September. I was able to harvest some honey that they left behind. It was a cold day in October, which made honey extraction difficult. However, getting a gallon of honey was something like a miracle — how did this happen?

Last year, I installed a single hive. The bees arrived in what they call a nuc, a box with frames on which the bees have already begun building comb. They were very productive and busy for about two months and then something happened. I’m not sure if it was mites or any of the other myriad problems described in the handbooks but the bees were gone, leaving discolored comb behind — and no honey.

It’s try, try again time. At dusk yesterday, I installed two packages of bees, which I had picked up from BeeKind in Sebastopol. These are three pound packages: one had Italian bees and the other Carniolans. The package is a wooden, screened box. A can filled with simple syrup plugs an opening and provides food to the bees in transit. The queen is inside, in a small enclosure.

I waited until the last light of day to transfer the bees from the package to the hives. To install the bees, I placed the package in the hive. I removed the can and then slid out the small case holding the queen. I have to use a screw to remove a cork from the end of the case, making sure the queen isn’t looking when I do this, and then plug up the opening with a small marshmallow. The queen’s case is attached to one of the frames inside the hive, and then we close up the hive. The bees will eat away the marshmallow and free the queen. The bees will leave the package in a few days and begin building comb for their new queen.

The Carniolans, which I placed second, seemed more agressive than the Italians during this transfer. The Italian bees could be easily brushed away from the Queen’s case but the Carniolans kept clinging on to the case and there were a lot more of them on my hands and on my bee suit. They buzzed more loudly but all went well. (Thanks to Milo for helping out as well.)

So, that’s how we get new hives going and make sure a new bee season gets off to a good start. As for the promise of honey, stay tuned.