Worldwide Beekeeping

Beekeeping => Beekeeping 101 => Topic started by: Springtide on October 11, 2014, 09:23:01 pm

Title: Bee Yard location
Post by: Springtide on October 11, 2014, 09:23:01 pm

So, I bought a piece of land at a tax sale last spring, should get the deed in the next week or so. It's about 5 miles away as the BEE flies  :). There are no feral bees left in my area, to my knowledge. There is a beekeeper about a mile away in the opposite direction with one hive, and that's where I assume the swarm that I'm struggling with now came from. All the other managed hives are several miles away.

My question is, is 5 miles too far away for drones from either location to fertilize each others' queens, or should I search for a midpoint location also?

This is a multi-year project. Any suggestions would be appreciated  ;D

Title: Re: Bee Yard location
Post by: iddee on October 11, 2014, 09:27:31 pm

5 miles is no problem for drones.They don't stay at home. By the time a queen is ready, there may be drones from several hives there waiting.

Title: Re: Bee Yard location
Post by: Springtide on October 11, 2014, 09:31:43 pm

Thanks iddee, that's what I was hoping. Yay!

Title: Re: Bee Yard location
Post by: Perry on October 12, 2014, 07:29:43 am

They did a study up near Beaverlodge Alberta where they placed virgin queens every kilometer for 20 k's and released a bunch of drones. This was an isolated area for test purposes. Drones showed up at the 20 k mark! 8)

Title: Re: Bee Yard location
Post by: Springtide on October 12, 2014, 08:34:33 am

Thanks Perry, I'll have to find out where Adam and Sherrie's new place is, that was going to be my next question -- what is the maximum limit? I think I'm okay, they live in Wellington, which is less than 10 kilometers away.