Getting Started
1. Choose the Right Location
When selecting a location for your hive, it’s important to consider both sun exposure and wind protection. Bees thrive in a sunny, sheltered environment. In Alberta, we recommend positioning your hive with the following considerations:
Wind Protection: Choose a spot that is shielded from prevailing winds. A natural windbreak such as trees, shrubs, or a building on the north side is ideal.
Sun Exposure: The hive should receive full sun, especially on the south side. This will help the bees stay warm and active, particularly during colder months.
A well-placed location helps your bees thrive, so take the time to find the right spot before setting up your hive.
2. Prepare the Hive Base
Before moving the bees into their new home, prepare the foundation of your hive:
Place the bottom board in the location you’ve selected. The bottom board acts as the base of your hive, providing stability and a foundation for the rest of the structure.
Once the bottom board is in place, set the nuc box (nucleus hive) on top of it. Make sure that the entrance of the nuc box faces the same direction as the entrance of the bottom board. This ensures a seamless transition for the bees as they begin to orient themselves to their new environment.
3. Let the Bees Adjust
Once the nuc is in position:
Open the entrance of the nuc box to allow the bees to fly out and start exploring their new surroundings.
This is an important step because the bees need time to reorient themselves to the new location. They’ll begin to familiarize themselves with their surroundings and the layout of the hive.
Leave the bees in the nuc overnight to allow them to adjust. During this time, they will likely start returning to the box, reinforcing their connection to the new location.
4. Transfer the Nuc to the Brood Boxes
The next day, after the bees have had time to acclimate to their new home, you can begin transferring the bees into the full brood boxes:
Remove the nuc box from the bottom board, taking care not to disturb the bees too much.
Replace the nuc box with the wooden brood box. The brood box will provide ample space for the bees to expand their colony, build comb, and raise brood.
Carefully transfer all of the frames into the center of the brood box, 1 at a time. Be sure to place the frames in the same order they were in the nuc, as the bees will be accustomed to their original arrangement. Add 5 additional frames on either side of the established colony. Add your inner cover and telescopic lid and allow the colony to grow, checking on it every couple of weeks.
Once the brood box is set up, the bees will continue to settle in and expand their colony. Over time, the bees will begin to fill the brood box with honey, brood, and beeswax.
4. Expansion
As the colony expands, it will begin filling the remainder of the first brood box with honeycomb, honey and eggs & larva. When the lower box is ~80% full, an additional brood box can be added ontop.
If this box is all new frames - take a couple of the drawn out frames from the first brood box and place them in the center of this new box. It will help draw up bees into the new space where they will begin expanding.
With these steps, you'll be on your way to setting up a healthy and thriving beehive. Patience and attention to detail are key during the initial setup. If you have any further questions or need more guidance, feel free to reach out!