Over a month ago, I ordered a beehut summer kit from Crown Bees:

http://crownbees.com/shop/complete-kits-for-easy-buying/summer-complete-kits/beehut-summer-kit

When the package arrived, probably about 10 or so bees had already "hatched." Anyway, I did everything as directed in the instructions. Well, it seems the bees all took off and never looked back. And any bees that "hatched" later did exactly the same thing.

So, I called Crown Bees up and described what happened. I was told that ants might have been the problem. They offered to send me more bees if I paid about $5 for the shipping, and I agreed. This time, I created a moat for the beehut, but I'm having the exact same problem. The bees that were active when the package arrived apparently just took off, and any others that have emerged since then have done the same thing.

I have to conclude that the "beehut" offered by Crown Bees is not a very good product. I live on a farm in a rural area with plenty of vegetation and no chemicals, so there is no good reason that this product should not have worked for me, if it were well-designed. Or is there another reasonable explanation?

Has anyone else had a similar failed experience with the beehut from Crown Bees? Just curious. I can't find any reviews of the product anywhere. I don't think I would ever order from Crown Bees again.