Is your bee supplier good? Would you recommend them?

[CpnObvious]

Before I put anything in here, I want to make sure this is OK.

I have seen at least one posting where the supplier was less than recommendation-worthy.

Personally, the guy I got my packages was excellent.  Great communication/updates.  Fair local pricing.  I really can't complain (other he's an hour away, but that's not his fault!).  I did ask him if it's OK for me to mention him on our forum and got the OK... But I want to clear such a Topic with the mods here, first.

Reply #1 from Iddee gave me the go-ahead...

I got my bee packages from a "delivery guy" in Ludlow, Massachusetts.  He goes to Georgia to get them, so he does point out that he's just the transporter.  His name is Tom: 413.883.9399.  His communication was fantastic and his pricing was the norm for this area.  As stated, he doesn't supply the bees himself, so he can really only take orders starting in November/December (up to the last minute!!!).  If you live with easy access to Ludlow I would recommend him in a heartbeat.  I use Route 202, but keep in mind, the Mass-Pike goes right into Palmer.

[iddee]

Compliments are more than welcome.

[pistolpete]

I get mine from John Gates Apiaries in Vernon.  Can't really say enough good things about their bees.  They are the end result of a large government run breeding program to create bees suited for our conditions.  The Nucs and queens are of exceptional quality.  The only problem is that they are sold out by the beginning of February.

[LazyBkpr]

 Did he say where he got them from in Georgia Cpn?
    I have some packages from Wilbanks in Claxton Georgia.. were going to see how they overwinter in comparison to the other bees I have. I will say that they are building really fast at the moment.

[CpnObvious]

Did he say where he got them from in Georgia Cpn?

Based off his emails, he gets them from Mickey at Hardamans.  He does say Georgia.

While I'm wondering the same thing (about over wintering), I have a hard time believing that success rate would be low.  It sound like he's been doing this for quite some time.  It seems to me that if they all died each winter, he wouldn't still be in business.  I do understand, and agree, that queens from up North MAY have a better chance of survival, but it takes generation after generation after generation (etc), for living things to evolve or adapt...  I'm sure there's something to it, but...?

Just my two-cents.

[LazyBkpr]

    A lot of folks think there is something to it, and a lot of folks get pretty upset if you say the southern bees are not as winter hardy.
    Hawaiian bred and raised bees successfully overwintering in Canada as an example..    I set aside my personal opinion so I could see what the comparison will be. Whoever survives this winter will become part of the local gene pool, no matter where they are from.  Hoping they will be the last bees I buy. The exception being queens.  In order to make the bees in my yard true Americans they have to have a VAST genetic diversity.