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Barnyard Buddies:  ordering bees?  |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
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Heather B
True Blue Farmgirl
562 Posts
Heather
Longmont
Colorado
USA
562 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 09 2013 : 06:00:40 AM
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I wasn't at all happy with ordering through the mail. The bees didnt thrive and eventually died. Its easy for them to get overheated or chilled when shipping.
I have had better luck purchasing from a local producer. This way I get Bees that are from my region and they tend to do much better.
I would recommend looking for someone within a few hours drive from you for pickup or someone who delivers to a "hub" delivery point close to your home. The less time the Bees are in transit the better!
Good Luck!
Heather
http://homesteadincity.blogspot.com/
http://littlehouseonthebumper.blogspot.com/ (My "glamper" page)
"Only your real friends tell you when your face is dirty"
Farm Girl Sister #662 |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2013 : 06:16:08 AM
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I agree with Heather. If the bees are being shipped from a long distance away, they just don't survive.
Along with contacting a local producer, you can let the local pest control people know that you'd like a hive. Sometimes, they can transfer one that has become a nusiance for someone else.
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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Heather B
True Blue Farmgirl
562 Posts
Heather
Longmont
Colorado
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2013 : 06:20:24 AM
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That's an excelleant idea Catherine. A swam is far cheeper than purchasing a package and they tend to be a little more hardy. The only thing I would recommend after getting a swarm would to maybe requeen. That way you can place a "gentle" queen and keep the unknown origin swam from being agressive.
Heather
http://homesteadincity.blogspot.com/
http://littlehouseonthebumper.blogspot.com/ (My "glamper" page)
"Only your real friends tell you when your face is dirty"
Farm Girl Sister #662 |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2013 : 06:26:20 AM
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You're right, Heather.....requeening is beneficial. In fact, Sheila, ordering a queen can be successful. They're packaged in a cool tube and have a high survivability.
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
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FARMALLChick
True Blue Farmgirl
978 Posts
Lora
Alexandria
IN
USA
978 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2013 : 08:59:10 AM
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We usually buy from an apiary about 2/5 - 3 hours from us. I am looking at trying to find someone closer due to gas prices. A swarm would be good too. We got called about one last year, but before I got the message, the lady had already given it to someone else. bummer.
Lora
"Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway" -John Wayne
www.CountryFriedAcres.etsy.com
www.farmallchick.blogspot.com
www.farmallchickphotos.blogspot.com |
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prariehawk
True Blue Farmgirl
2914 Posts
Cindy
2914 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2013 : 2:29:44 PM
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Another thing to consider: if you order bees from a western or southern state, they are likely to be Africanized and more aggressive. Local bees would be more docile and a swarm from the wild is likely to be hardier. Wish you lived closer--I could have given you the bees that were in my tulip tree.
Cindy
"Vast floods can't quench love, no matter what love did/ Rivers can't drown love, no matter where love's hid"--Sinead O'Connor
"In many ways, you don't just live in the country, it lives inside you"--Ellen Eilers
Visit my blog at http://www.farmerinthebelle.blogspot.com/ |
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Heather B
True Blue Farmgirl
562 Posts
Heather
Longmont
Colorado
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - Jan 09 2013 : 8:07:50 PM
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I get my Bees local here in Colorado from APIS Hive in Grand Juncton Colorado. This makes them acclimated to our 5400ft elevation. Chad has been a wonderful mentor over the years. He has some great videos on his web site that are "how to" . His Bees are very docile!
And best of all he delivers to the front range! Kinda like Santa in spring bringing lots of goodies. www.apishive.com
BZZZZZZZ.....
Heather
http://homesteadincity.blogspot.com/
http://littlehouseonthebumper.blogspot.com/ (My "glamper" page)
"Only your real friends tell you when your face is dirty"
Farm Girl Sister #662 |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4234 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4234 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2013 : 04:31:54 AM
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Maybe check out beesource forum. You may find someone close to you to get bees from.
Michele |
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Barnyard Buddies: ordering bees? |
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ordering bees?
