Worldwide Beekeeping
Beekeeping => Beekeeping 101 => Topic started by: WantToBeeLady on June 17, 2016, 02:38:57 pm
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Hello again y'all. I have an opportunity to buy two used bee kits. The seller tells me he had bees in them for less than one year. Then for whatever reason the bees left. Both hives. I asked some vague questions to determine if the bees died in the hive or whatever, but this guy is as clueless as I am. My concern is that the bees died of disease. And since I'm getting no information I'm reluctant to commit. If I make this purchase (not knowing any history) how would I treat the equipment before safely using it? Or is this me over thinking again?
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less than a year is a short time for disease to manifest itself. That being said if he started with nucs he may have bought bees on diseased frames. Package bees are likely to bring the disease.
What to look for... did the bees die in the hive? or was the hive empty with a few dead larva and a cup full of bees.
you can tell haw long the bees were in the hive by how much they developed (Comb they drew out)
Did the start as nucs Packages or swarms.
What type of frames. wood, plastic, plastic foundation was foundation?
Comb that has never had brood is not likely to have disease.
Is there a state inspection service? In BC where i am at the equipment is suppose to be inspected before it is sold. I could meet the inspector where the equipment is and he with his experience in spotting bee diseases would give his opinion and recommendation. Or if you have an experienced mentor to go along with you.
I wouldn't run away from it but I would have it checked out. First year dead out with a new beekeeper.. So many things could have caused this. disease would not be to high on the list, but not knowing there history Use caution
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It is a gamble. I pick the odds this way. If the price is less than half of new, and the equip. is as good as new, I gamble and buy it. I then use it straight forward. If the price is over half of new, I pass.
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Thanks for your advice on this one. The initial price was kind of high. Not much lower than if the hives were brand new. However, the seller left me a message saying he'd be willing to negotiate. So we shall see how low we can go. I can ask more questions regarding history at that time.
Thanks again for your opinions and advice. And for making me feel welcome.