Bee Package Number One, 53 To Go....

We will hive this package today in my 6-frame deep nuc as the weather remains cooler and want to have them establish themselves in a smaller space to warm.

These bees came from Gardner's, and I picked them up locally from Rock Hill Bee Farms in Stafford, Virginia. The packages appear both very generous and healthy with few dead bees on the bottom.  The total package with the bees weighed a tad over 6 lbs.  I measured the empty box and the total weight of the box and candy is a bit over 3 lbs.  I will release the queen at introduction per Michael Bush's advice, ie direct release.

I hope my investment survives the next 36 hours of cold.