bee package woes

[Deleted]

I am returning to beekeeping having just moved to some property in Ashland. I kept a few hives in my yard in California many years ago. I fetched two packages of bees from Glory Bee in eugene on Friday. One package seems healthy - bees and queen active. The other had more dead bees - AND when I tried to hive it - no bees were flying. I think it's a goner. When I pried out the syrup can, I finally noticed that the little holes were on top, not inside the package!! Has this ever happened to anyone? I did not think to look to make sure - can't see the holes without my reading glasses anyway! I tried calling Glory Bee, but only got voice mail. Advice? Thoughts?
BTW - I plan on coming to the bee meeting first Monday in May. Looking forward to it.
- Shirl

[drew]

FEED THEM, maybe spray them with squirt bottle a "BIT", with some 50% syrup.

[Shirley Klock]

Thanks for the reply, Drew. Yes, I have done that. Sprayed them with 50 percent sugar syrup, loaded up their feeder. The one package looks okay so far, bees flying and returning to the hive. The ones that were poorly - all quiet. I think they were too far gone after traveling with no food. But I'll give it 3 or 4 days before opening them up to look inside. Does that sound right?

[drew]

yep