Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => General Beekeeping => Topic started by: ward on June 17, 2014, 12:28:36 pm

Title: buying bees
Post by: ward on June 17, 2014, 12:28:36 pm
I put in an order to buy a nuc back in February from a supplier in Brewster, NY. They were supposed to be ready June 7th. When I called on the 7th, they said that was a pick up day. The shipping would be June 11th and we would get an email with tracking numbers. It is now the 17th and I am starting to think I may have to look elsewhere. They do not answer emails and their mailbox is full so you cannot leave a message.

I would like to buy a nuc or package with queen. If the original order shows up then I would have two hives. Does anyone know where I can buy northern bees at this late date?

I live in Massachusetts. They would need to be shipped if outside of New England.

It would be a shame to have to wait until next year when our equipment is ready now.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: CpnObvious on June 17, 2014, 02:22:34 pm
The date has just passed... but might not hurt to contact these folks: http://burlington.craigslist.org/grd/4502457743.html (http://burlington.craigslist.org/grd/4502457743.html) : http://shop.honeybeeheadquarters.com (http://shop.honeybeeheadquarters.com)

not sure if they are northern-bred


Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: Papakeith on June 17, 2014, 02:29:01 pm
a bit East from you but you could try Warm Colors Apiary to see if they have any nucs left
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: ward on June 17, 2014, 04:21:31 pm
Thank you for your suggestions. I may also be able to get a nuc in 2 weeks from New England Apiaries in Westfield. They are raising a queen for a nuc and it may work out for us. Hopefully something works for us this year.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: robo on June 17, 2014, 09:04:14 pm
If you don't have any luck, let me know.  Not sure where you are in Mass,  but I travel to Poughkeepsie, NY on a regular basis and can provide northern treatment free nucs.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: Perry on June 17, 2014, 09:07:44 pm
If you don't have any luck, let me know.  Not sure where you are in Mass,  but I travel to Poughkeepsie, NY on a regular basis and can provide northern treatment free nucs.

Geez, that Robo, he'd give you the shirt off his back, or in this case, the bees off his face.  ;D
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: LazyBkpr on June 17, 2014, 10:08:40 pm
LOL!!
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: riverbee on June 18, 2014, 01:00:18 am
"Thank you for your suggestions. I may also be able to get a nuc in 2 weeks from New England Apiaries in Westfield. They are raising a queen for a nuc and it may work out for us. Hopefully something works for us this year."

hey ward, let us know how everything worked out for you.  if i lived anywhere close to robo, i'd be buying his bees.....

tough year for bees this year, wish you well!
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: ward on June 20, 2014, 09:27:56 pm
We are going to the Mass Bee Annual Field Day tomorrow in South Deerfield, MA where there are workshops and vendors all about beekeeping. Maybe we can make some contacts there. Also, New England Apiaries in Westfield, MA said they may have a nuc by July 1st. No promises. I'll keep you posted.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: ward on June 20, 2014, 09:30:42 pm
Robo, we'll get back to you after tomorrow's beekeeping fair. Thanks for the offer.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: CpnObvious on June 20, 2014, 10:41:47 pm
Ward,
Wish I had known that was going on... My weekend is PACKED or I would've gone.  I'm only an hour from Deerfield.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: ward on June 21, 2014, 06:39:35 pm
The beekeeping field day was very good. Brushey Mt and Betterbee  were there. The workshops were excellent for beginners as well as experienced beekeepers. We were not able to buy any bees, but still waiting on Westfield.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: ward on June 22, 2014, 07:49:44 pm
There is an old fellow wanting to sell 5 complete hives if anyone is interested. I wanted to buy one of them but he wants to sell all five to one buyer. he lives in Highland Mills, NY. He is listed on Craig's List.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: CpnObvious on June 23, 2014, 08:14:50 am
Seems kind of crazy.  Why not sell them individually?  You'd think he could get rid of them faster.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: ward on June 23, 2014, 03:27:23 pm
Going to Chicopee, MA to buy a hive tonight. Hope it works out.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: lazy shooter on June 23, 2014, 04:51:20 pm
Let us know how the hive works for you?  I keep thinking a hive could be the most cost effective way to purchase bees.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: riverbee on June 23, 2014, 08:54:24 pm
"Going to Chicopee, MA to buy a hive tonight. Hope it works out."

wish you well ward!  let us know if you were able to purchase a hive.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: apisbees on June 23, 2014, 10:10:20 pm
As it is getting late in the beekeeping season A hive will provide him with a good start for this year. It is terable to here of so many that are having problems securing good bees.
Let up know how you make out.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: ward on June 23, 2014, 11:05:35 pm
We were able to purchase a hive chock full of honey bees and transported it home without incident from Chicopee, MA. The family we bought them from has 9 more hives to sell. If anyone needs bees I would be glad to give you the info. We found them on Craig's List. The bees have been well cared for. We feel blessed to have found them.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: LazyBkpr on June 23, 2014, 11:48:26 pm
Good deal. Glad to hear it!!
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: apisbees on June 24, 2014, 02:39:20 am
Now I'm snoopy. A single deep, a double deep, did you get any other honey supers or equipment? You can tell me to mind my own business but I am going to ask anyway what did it cost you? If the price is right there may be others on the forum that are near and interested.
I am glad you managed to find bees and bees that will make your first year of beekeeping enjoyable.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: ward on June 24, 2014, 08:48:26 am
The pink one is the new hive. The white one will probably have to wait until next year.
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs27.postimg.cc%2Fhkofbfdbz%2F20140624_072405.jpg&hash=a6f00dc5d60d5d52e3d4b2c49adf473dcebdd1e8) (http://postimg.cc/image/hkofbfdbz/)
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: apisbees on June 24, 2014, 10:21:47 am
An 8 frame hive. if you did not get more 8 frame supers to use on top, You may want to consider moving the frames in to the 10 frame hive that you have supers for. and save the 8 frame till you can get or make more 8 frame supers. Thanks for posting pictures. And have fun and enjoy, Best wishes and success.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: riverbee on June 24, 2014, 10:42:21 am
what apis said ward, me too, that's what i would do, move the frames into the 10 framer.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: ward on June 26, 2014, 09:41:08 pm
We should have read this sooner. We ended up buying an 8 frame deep and a couple of medium supers from betterbee and they arrived in two days. I slapped a coat of paint on the deep and put it on top of the hive because it was really crowded in there. I was afraid they would swarm on me. However, they seem calm and busy now. They seem to be doing well. We see plenty of pollen on the returning bees. We have never done this before so we are just using common sense. We are going to examine the hive in a week and see how they have taken to the new box. We were thinking the next move would be to put on a queen excluder and a medium super.

We paid $200 for the hive with no extra boxes. After we left we wished we had purchased a couple of extra boxes. We were set up for a 10 frame. Ward wanted to move them into the ten frame but Marion wanted to keep them where they were used  to. Marion won but betterbee helped with fast delivery.

We are painting all the 8 frame parts pink and the 10 frame white so we can easily tell them apart. The 10 frame will probably wait til we can buy a nuc in the spring.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: apisbees on June 27, 2014, 04:49:39 am
Get them through the winter and for the cost of a queen you can split the hive.
Title: Re: buying bees
Post by: ward on June 27, 2014, 09:03:30 am
Sounds good. We will study that.