Installing Packaged Bees with Anne Frey, Part 1 (279)

Installing Packaged Bees with Anne Frey, Part 1 (279)

From Honey Bee Obscura Podcast by Jim Tew

April 16, 2026 · 20 min · Episode 279

About this episode

Jim Tew and Anne Frey discuss practical approaches to installing packaged bees for new beekeepers.

Package bee installation is one of the most common ways new beekeepers start a colony, and in this episode of Honey Bee Obscura , Jim Tew is joined by Anne Frey of Betterbee to share practical, experience-based approaches to getting packages established successfully. As spring arrives, Jim opens with a familiar situation—ordering packages after winter losses, only to find more colonies survived than expected. That leads into a broader discussion of why packages remain a popular entry point for beginners, offering a slower and more manageable buildup compared to nucs or splits. The conversation explores different installation techniques, including Jim's "slow release" method, where bees exit the package on their own rather than being shaken into the hive. Anne adds perspective from working with customers and emphasizes how critical proper feeding is during early spring, when cold conditions can quickly lead to starvation even when food is present. They also discuss queen cage management, including how long to wait before release and how to safely introduce the queen without risking loss. Along the way, they share real-world stories that highlight how small setup…

People in this episode

Host: Jim Tew

Guest: Anne Frey

Topics covered

  • beekeeping
  • package bees
  • installation techniques
  • queen management
  • feeding
  • beginner beekeeping

Keywords

  • package bee installation
  • beekeeping techniques
  • queen cage management
  • feeding bees
  • beginner beekeeping

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Betterbee

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