Different Bees ?

[froggy]

Hi, when purchasing Bees, are there different strains , types ? I am currently reading about , French, Dutch and so on. Some Bees being more placid than others but maybe not as industrious . is there a native British Bee? sorry for so many questions but I want to make that I start with the right colony, cheers Terry.

 

[enrico]

I will give you a quick answer but it isn't as comprehensive as some you will get. Yes, there are different strains and there is a native british bee but unless you re queen every year with a known variety then after the first and consecutive swarms the strain that you started with will get crossed multiple times with other local bees to your area. My advice is to start with a hive that someone knows to be quiet and then go from there. Bees temperaments can change from day to day.
E

 

[froggy]

thanks

 

[alldigging]

Find someone reasonably local whose bees do well and see if you can buy some of theirs. Not until spring though!

 

[For want of a better word]

Find someone reasonably local whose bees do well and see if you can buy some of theirs. Not until spring though!

is there a native British Bee?... YES look at BIBBA web pages.... possibly the best honeybee type for your location.

Yeghes da

 

[B+.]

unless you re queen every year with a known variety then after the first and consecutive swarms the strain that you started with will get crossed multiple times with other local bees to your area

Every year?
I test mine for two years then decide which are worth breeding from