Wanted to Buy: Package or Nuc

[Newbee]

Lost my bee's to robbing last fall, looking to replace.
I would like to purchase either a package (~3lb.) and marked queen, or a small Nuc with same. Run Deep's for the Hive body.
I live near Knoxville, TN. Will drive a couple hours to meet, or quote shipping to 37763.

Thanks.

- Kevin

[CBT]

Check with your local bee club. Knox county bee keepers.

[Newbee]

I'm a member of the one south of here (Cherokee Beekeepers), and they are doing packages from an apiary in GA like last year (where I got mine). Wanted to try a different source, thought I would check here... I suspect Knox County is getting the same bee's. Thanks though.

[CBT]

I believe the Ga bees cover most of the south. If you want something different this year pay a little more and get a local nuc. Your paying for quality and a jumpstart on the season and a local queen. Not much more for the value. My 2 cents.

[riverbee]

kevin, what did you wind up doing for bees this year?

[Newbee]

Nothing just yet, it's still a little early for 'new' hives down here (not much blooming yet), but as a last resort (that frankly, sounds pretty fun), I may take a road trip up to Kelley Bee's in Kentucky. Google says it's about 3.5 hrs away, and I've got a heavy foot. Be good to make a day of it. They have a variety of packages to pick from, and I'm trying to talk Slowmodem into taking the road trip with me (work keeps getting in the way). Beautiful part of the country, and the rest of the family has zero interest (ahhhh... peace and quiet behind the windshield... )
I probably should contact them soon though, put my name on a list, to make sure I can get one!

[riverbee]

lol, thanks for the reply!

[Newbee]

I placed the order w/ Kelley Bee's today. Purebred russian's w/ a marked queen. Apparently they are getting their russian packages from an apiary in Arkansas, certified genetically tested by the RHBA. We'll see how it goes this year! It's a little later than I would have liked to get started (will be late spring here), but at least there will be a lot of food sources for them once I get them installed.
Thanks.

- K

[Bakersdozen]

I placed the order w/ Kelley Bee's today. Purebred russian's w/ a marked queen. Apparently they are getting their russian packages from an apiary in Arkansas, certified genetically tested by the RHBA. We'll see how it goes this year! It's a little later than I would have liked to get started (will be late spring here), but at least there will be a lot of food sources for them once I get them installed.
Thanks.

- K

Be sure to put some 1:1 sugar syrup on too.  Feed them until they no longer take it.  They will need the help to get build up, even if there is a nectar flow on.

[Newbee]

Yes Ma'm. My hive has a hive-top feeder, and I've still got a lot of drawn comb from last year, so i'm optimistic that they will do better on those points alone. The new-fangled breed is hopefully just a little added zoom!