Beekeeping begins in earnest when a colony occupies its new hive. A beekeeper may have the best equipment and perfect site, but without healthy bees, there is no apiary. Establishing a colony successfully requires not only obtaining bees but also introducing them gently, at the right time,
and in suitable environmental conditions. This stage determines whether a colony thrives, absconds, or collapses.Understanding Bee Sources
There are several ways to start a bee colony, each with distinct advantages and challenges.
Capturing Natural Swarms
Swarming is the honey bee’s natural method of colony reproduction. When the parent hive becomes crowded, a portion of the workers departs with the old queen to form a new colony. Catching these swarms remains a traditional and cost-free method widely used across Africa (Bradbear, 2009).
Bait hives or traps, placed 2–3 m above the ground and baited with wax or propolis, attract scout bees searching for new nesting sites. Ideal placement is near flowering trees or shrubs and in areas with moderate shade. Once a swarm occupies the hive, it should be relocated carefully at dusk when all foragers have returned.
Because the health and genetic background of captured swarms are unknown, quarantine for 2–3 weeks before moving them to the main apiary. Observe for signs of disease, deformed wings, or chalkbrood.
Buying Nucleus Colonies
A nucleus colony—or “nuc”—is a small but complete colony containing several frames of brood, food stores, worker bees, and a mated queen. Purchasing nucs from reputable breeders provides a reliable start, especially for beginners. These colonies begin building up immediately because brood and foragers are already present.
Inspect the nuc before purchase: look for a compact brood pattern, presence of eggs and larvae, and calm temperament. Avoid colonies showing irregular brood, aggressive behavior, or wax moth infestation. The FAO (2009) notes that buying certified nucs from established suppliers is one of the best strategies to avoid importing disease into an apiary.
Package Bees
Package bees are screened boxes containing worker bees and a caged queen. They are common in large-scale operations and research settings, allowing the introduction of specific genetic lines. Though rarely used by smallholders, package bees illustrate how a colony can be created from unrelated individuals once the queen is accepted (Winston, 1991).
Transferring from Traditional Hives
In regions where log or clay hives remain in use, transferring colonies into modern Langstroth hives (“cut-out”) preserves valuable local strains. Carefully cut brood combs from the old hive and tie them into empty frames using soft string or rubber bands. Include as many nurse bees as possible and locate the queen if visible.
This practice maintains Apis mellifera scutellata and A. m. monticola populations—African races adapted to high temperatures, pests, and erratic forage cycles (Crane, 1990).
Evaluating Colony Strength
A colony’s strength determines its survival and productivity. A strong colony has a calm, steady temperament, 6–8 frames covered with bees, eggs, larvae, and sealed brood in concentric patterns, and adequate food stores of pollen and honey.
Weak or queenless colonies should not be used to populate new hives. They often abscond or collapse before building comb. Temperament is partly genetic; gentle bees make management easier, especially in populated areas.
Seasonal Timing of Colony Installation
Timing is critical for colony establishment. Installing bees just before or at the start of a nectar flow ensures abundant forage for comb construction and brood rearing. Colonies introduced during prolonged droughts or cold, wet periods may struggle and are prone to absconding.
In tropical regions like Kenya, ideal installation windows often follow the long rains (March–May) and short rains (October–December) when flowering is widespread. In arid areas, the presence of Acacia bloom is a reliable cue for colony introduction.
Preparing the Hive
Before installation, the hive should be clean, dry, and completely fitted with frames and wax foundation. Rub a little wax on the top bars to encourage comb building. Position hives permanently in the selected apiary before introducing bees; relocating them later confuses their navigation system, which relies on landmarks and the sun’s position (Seeley, 2010).
Provide a nearby water source, ideally within 200 m, and place a feeder inside the hive containing a 1:1 sugar-water solution to support early comb building.
Installing Swarms or Transferred Colonies
Evening is the preferred time for installation because temperatures are lower and most foragers have returned.
Procedure:
- Place the hive on its stand and puff a few clouds of cool smoke at the entrance.
- Gently pour or shake the bees into the brood box.
- Ensure the queen enters with them.
- Close the hive immediately and reduce the entrance.
- Feed syrup and leave the colony undisturbed for at least five days.
FAO (2009) recommends feeding for at least one week to reduce stress and encourage comb construction. Greasing hive stand legs or placing each in a tin of oil prevents ant invasion.
Installing Nucleus or Package Bees
When transferring a nucleus colony, move frames in their original order to preserve brood arrangement. Make sure the queen is included and active. Fill any empty spaces with additional frames containing wax foundation.
Package bees require gradual queen release to prevent rejection. Suspend the queen cage between two central frames and release her after two days once workers show acceptance by feeding and clustering around the cage. Seeley (2010) found that delayed release significantly increases queen survival and colony cohesion.
Feeding and Early Colony Management
New colonies need food to draw wax, feed brood, and sustain foragers. Sugar syrup feeding mimics natural nectar and helps bees build comb rapidly. Some beekeepers add a small amount of pollen substitute to stimulate brood rearing, though this is optional if natural pollen is abundant.
Inspect the hive 7–10 days after installation to confirm that the queen is laying and the colony is drawing comb evenly. Avoid prolonged inspections—disturbance and excessive smoke can cause absconding.
Continue feeding until the colony has built at least six drawn combs and natural nectar flow begins. Thereafter, remove feeders to avoid contaminating honey.
Early Colony Behavior
During the first two weeks, bees orient to their surroundings through short flights around the hive entrance. Temporary clustering outside the hive (“bearding”) is common in hot weather and should not be mistaken for absconding.
A healthy queen lays steadily; worker bees build comb in orderly rows and begin storing nectar. If brood is absent after two inspections, requeening may be necessary. According to Winston (1991), colonies without fertile queens often lose cohesion and abscond within a month.
Disease and Pest Precautions
New colonies are vulnerable to wax moths, ants, and small hive beetles. Maintain clean apiary surroundings and good airflow. Regularly inspect for wax moth larvae in unoccupied frames.
Disease control starts with sanitation. Tools should be cleaned after each use and not shared between apiaries. Avoid importing combs or frames of unknown origin to prevent diseases such as American foulbrood (FAO, 2009).
Integrating Local Bee Races
Indigenous African bees are adapted to local climates, flowering cycles, and pests. Using local strains supports sustainable apiculture and conserves biodiversity. Studies show that these bees resist diseases better and recover faster after dearth periods compared to imported stocks (Bradbear, 2009).
Maintaining local genetics also aligns with modern conservation goals and strengthens pollination networks vital for both wild and cultivated plants (Klein et al., 2007).
Transporting Bees Safely
When relocating bees, do so during cool hours—early morning or late evening. Close hive entrances with fine mesh for ventilation. Shade colonies during transport and avoid stacking hives tightly. Vibration and overheating can suffocate brood and cause colony loss.
If colonies must travel long distances, stop periodically to allow cooling. Upon arrival, place hives in their permanent positions before release to prevent confusion.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Installing bees during dearth or poor weather
- Using scented or dirty hives
- Failing to feed and water after installation
- Opening hives too early
- Ignoring pests or predator control
Patience, cleanliness, and gentle handling are the marks of successful installation.
Long-Term Establishment and Expansion
Once colonies stabilize, the beekeeper can expand the apiary through controlled splitting. Strong colonies can be divided before the main swarming season to produce new nucs. Regular inspection, queen replacement, and record keeping maintain productivity.
Healthy colonies contribute beyond honey production—they pollinate crops and wild plants, supporting ecosystem resilience (Klein et al., 2007).
Conclusion
Starting a colony is the most critical step in beekeeping. It combines biological understanding, timing, and care. Choosing healthy bees, installing them properly, and providing food, water, and protection ensure a strong foundation for every future harvest.
With sound practices grounded in science and tradition, even a beginner can transform a few hives into a thriving apiary. Every successful installation adds not only to honey production but also to biodiversity and agricultural stability across the landscape.
References
- Bradbear, N. (2009). Bees and Their Role in Forest Livelihoods. FAO Forestry Paper 171.
- Crane, E. (1990). Bees and Beekeeping: Science, Practice and World Resources. Cornell University Press.
- FAO. (2009). Honey Bee Diseases and Pests: A Practical Guide. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
- Klein, A. M. et al. (2007). Importance of Pollinators in Changing Landscapes for World Crops. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 274(1608), 303–313.
- Seeley, T. D. (2010). Honeybee Democracy. Princeton University Press.
- Winston, M. L. (1991). The Biology of the Honey Bee. Harvard University Press.