G and T
New Bee
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2010
- Messages
- 9
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- West cumbria
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- 1
Can anyone advise us 'beginners' what to expect when buying bees and how much to pay.
Can anyone advise us 'beginners' how much to pay.
Can anyone advise us 'beginners' what to expect when buying bees .
A good summary by Muswell Metro.
I would only add that there is also a seasonal element to the value of bees that reflects the potential honey making capacity versus the maintenance required.
In simple terms a May nucleus is worth a lot more than an August nucleus.
A swarm of bees in May, is worth a load of hay.
A swarm of bees in June, is worth a silver spoon.
A swarm of bees in July, is not worth a fly.........
Old nursery rhyme.............
Frisbee
Think the old rhyme refers to how much honey you may expect them to collect,not if they make it through winter,a reasonable size swarm in late september will make it through winter if fed, no problem.I often wonder how true that is anymore. With global warming and significantly less severe winters (OK, this one excepted) I wouldn't even bat an eyelid at housing a swarm in July and with some judicious feeding expect them to come through the winter successfully.
Adam
Think the old rhyme refers to how much honey you may expect them to collect,not if they make it through winter,a reasonable size swarm in late september will make it through winter if fed, no problem.
Global warmingNatural change. Sometimes I wonder if people know the earth used to be a big ball of gas. Caveman - 'Oh know the icecaps are melting and we have a big sea between England and France where land used to be! It's all our fault! Quick put out that recently discovered fire!'
I think it also refers to a time when bees were kept in straw skeps and for most of the time fended for themselves