Preparing for your Package Bees

All equipment should be assembled, painted (recommended but not necessary) and set in place at your bee yard location before your bees are scheduled to arrive. Caring for your package until time of installation

1. Keep packages in a dark, quiet place, preferably 50°F-70°F taking care not to chill or overheat them.
2. Feed generously by spraying or brushing 1:1 water/sugar syrup, 1:1 water/high fructose corn syrup mix or Pro-Sweet on the screen sides 3-4 times per day.
3. Install as soon as possible.

How to Install Package Bees

1. Install the package in the evening or early morning when the weather is cool (40°F-50°F). Do not use smoke when installing packages.

2. Remove four frames in the center of the hive body.

3. Spray the package liberally with Pro Sweet, 1:1 water/sugar syrup, or 1:1 water/thin high fructose corn syrup. Be careful not to chill the bees. Make sure any sugar or syrup used is room temperature (70°F).

4. Tap the package sharply on a hard surface to knock the bees to the bottom of the cage.

5. Remove the feeder can and queen cage from the package and set aside. We recommend putting the queen cage in your pocket to protect the queen and avoid misplacing her.

6. Shake bees into the hive and spread them out on the bottom board.

7. Check to see if the queen is alive. Lightly spray her cage with sugar syrup, thin high fructose corn syrup, or Pro Sweet. Be careful not to chill with cold syrup. Make sure syrup use is room temperature (70°F). Install in the hive using one of the Release Methods.

8. Place a pollen patty (Ultra Bee or Bee Pro) on the top bars, not directly under the hole in the inner cover.

9. Place the inner and telescoping covers on top of the hive. Ensure that the entrance reducer is in place utilizing the smallest opening.

10. Inspect the colony 4-7 days after installation for queen acceptance by the hive.

Methods for Releasing Bees

1. Direct Release Method

Instructions:

Lower the queen cage to the bottom of one exposed frame, keeping the cork facing down into the hive and gently open the cage. Observe the queen to ensure that she exits the cage (ideally onto the foundation of a frame) and doesn’t fly away. Carefully replace the frames by adding them closest to the queen first and moving outward.

2. Delayed release (3-4 hours)

Supplies needed: Mini Marshmallow, Hive Tool First, remove the cork from the cage using your fingers and hive tool if needed.

Instructions:

Make sure the queen is moving away from the cork when attempting to remove to prevent harming the queen. Once the cork is removed, replace with the mini marshmallow. Replace the frames and wedge the queen cage inbetween two frames (along the top bar in the front or back of the hive) with the screen out toward the center of the hive. Do not place in the center if pail feeding with syrup.

Package Bee Policy, Waiver, & Guarantee 

• When you order package bees from Mann Lake Bee & Ag Supply online, by phone, via email, in person, or by mail, you agree to the following policies, contract terms, conditions, limitations, and exceptions. 
• At Mann Lake Bee & Ag Supply, we make every attempt to ship your package bees on the scheduled date. The production of package bees and queens are dependent upon factors which lie outside our control, including weather patterns. As a result, Mann Lake Bee & Ag Supply may need to rearrange scheduled dates or make other accommodations. Mann Lake Bee & Ag Supply will provide notification to you via email, phone call, or SMS, if shipments are not on schedule. 
• Mann Lake does guarantee that your bees will arrive alive with a laying queen, however, we do not guarantee that you will be able to successfully establish a colony or “hive” with the package. You agree that you will not attempt to hold us responsible for whatever may happen to your package after it is delivered, for the survival or productivity of the hive that you establish from the package. We will not refund any money for package bees that do not survive. 

Shipments 
Package bees are shipped via USPS. We will contact you once an official ship date has been established and provide USPS tracking number once your bees have shipped. Shipped package bees are guaranteed to not have more than 1.5” of dead bees (when spread evenly across the bottom of the package) upon delivery. 
• You agree that you will not refuse your order if it arrives in poor condition. If shipment is refused, a refund will not be issued. If shipment arrives with all or nearly all the bees dead or package is damaged (with more than 1.5” of dead bees spread evenly across the bottom), you must contact us within 24 hours of receipt or the guarantee is void. 
• For a claim to be filed with USPS and to receive a refund, Mann Lake must be contacted within 24 hours of delivery. We require a photo of the shipping label and the dead/damaged package showing more than 1.5 inches of dead bees on the bottom of the package when spread evenly. A photo is also needed for online claim submission for Mann Lake. Information should be submitted on our website via the Package bee help page. Please refer to the special instructions attached to your package of bees for additional information. 
• A refund for the price of your package bees will be issued within 5 business days after receipt of all required documentation.  

Package Bee Queens 
Non-laying: 
Mann Lake Bee & Ag Supply guarantees that you will receive a fertile queen. The queen should begin laying within 14 days of the queen being released from the queen cage into the hive. If there are no signs of eggs on the 14th day, please refer to the special instructions attached to your package of bees to contact us. 

Dead or damaged in transit: 
In the event the queen arrives dead or damaged during transit, please refer to the special instructions attached to your package of bees and contact us within 24 hours. A photo of the dead queen and shipping label are required prior to the shipment of a replacement queen. Information should be submitted on our website via the Package bee help page. Mann Lake will cover the cost and shipping fee of one replacement queen per package purchased. 
ORDERS WILL NOT BE PROCESSED UNTIL THE CUSTOMER HAS AGREED TO THE TERMS OF THIS GUARANTEE. If an order is cancelled or changes need to be made a $10 change or cancellation fee may apply.  

There is potential risk of injury from actives involved in beekeeping, and while particular rules, equipment and personal care may reduce the risk, the risk of injury does exist; and YOU KNOWINGLY AND FREELY ASSUME ALL SUCH RICKS, both known and unknown, EVEN IF ARISING FROM NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASEES or others, and assume full responsibility for your participation; and, HEREBY RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS MANN LAKE BEE & AG SUPPLY, their officers, other participants, and if applicable, owner and lessors of the premises (“RELEASEES”) used to conduct any event, WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL INJURY, DISABILITY, DEATH, or loss or damage to person or property, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, WHETHER ARISING FROM THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE RELEASED OR OTHERWISE.

This item is not returnable.

Proposition 65 Warnings! 

Note: These warnings do not apply to food products.

 WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

 WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.  For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.