Nuc of bees

[Beefriendly]

BFA, Local association, trading standards.

Wouldn't do any of those things.
You need absolute proof...and knowing what some do vs proving it are two different matters, one of which could lead to libellous claims against me....
Caveat emptor.
.

 

[B+.]

You need absolute proof...and knowing what some do vs proving it are two different matters.

Word gets around.

 

[domino]

If you meet them at a bee club they are hardly likely to fit your previous description of random unknown beekeeper.

Reread the OP. I think if you meet someone once, they are pretty random.

 

[Stiffy]

HOne of the members said that i should get my bees from someone local and not from the other person who lives about 20 miles away as the climate is different and those bees could bring in decease.Can anyone tell me who is right here?

Thanks Wardy

And I suppose he just happened to have a few to sell next year, no doubt?
I hear it all the time from new beeks near me who have been told by people who should know better, "buy a native Yokel black bee or they will perish in the first rain shower" or some other such nonsense. When asked were this 'wonderful' insect may be obtained, "Oh , I just happen to have a waiting list, would you like me to add your name"
S

 

[domino]

And I suppose he just happened to have a few to sell next year, no doubt?
I hear it all the time from new beeks near me who have been told by people who should know better, "buy a native Yokel black bee or they will perish in the first rain shower" or some other such nonsense. When asked were this 'wonderful' insect may be obtained, "Oh , I just happen to have a waiting list, would you like me to add your name"
S

It takes a while to work out who is who in your local bee club.

 

[Stiffy]

It takes a while to work out who is who in your local bee club.

Shame the loudest voices in groups tend to 'pounce ' on new members.
I let my local beekeeping membership drop as I could never attend meetings the insurance is pretty useless for the number of hives I have and frankly I don't want to be associated with BBKA.
S

 

[madasafish]

And I suppose he just happened to have a few to sell next year, no doubt?
I hear it all the time from new beeks near me who have been told by people who should know better, "buy a native Yokel black bee or they will perish in the first rain shower" or some other such nonsense. When asked were this 'wonderful' insect may be obtained, "Oh , I just happen to have a waiting list, would you like me to add your name"
S

I bought my first nuc from a well known Gloucestershire supplier .In retrospect, it was a nuc comprising frames from differing hives, a queen added, and a high varroa count - visible varroa on bees and DWV. I converted them to a TBH.

Despite those disadvantages, they survived that winter despite a period of -15C nights.

After that I realised people talking about locally adapted bees were talking bull excrement. (and they still are). If they were correct, they should have died - the conditions were ideal for death.

 

[Millet]

What about folk who buy Queens in from Denmark and so on. surely they would be no good for our climate...

 

[B+.]

What about folk who buy Queens in from Denmark and so on. surely they would be no good for our climate...

You are right to roll your eyes skyward Millet. That claim has been made many times yet good stock shows its quality in any climate. Although, if I may paraphrase Finman, the difference is more pronounced in good pasture. It is up to the beekeeper to place them where they may show their capability

 

[Stiffy]

What about folk who buy Queens in from Denmark and so on. surely they would be no good for our climate...

No they are absolute rubbish, the numbers imported are probably from all the deaths occurring each winter!
S

 

[Millet]

No they are absolute rubbish, the numbers imported are probably from all the deaths occurring each winter!
S

 

[Wingy]

Ok here is another option. Why buy an over wintered Nuc ? Get to know some members from your club over winter social events and meetings then order a 2019 spring Nuc locally. If from a good bee keeper they should let you visit their apiary talk you through what they are doing and possibly offer you a bit of hands on preparing your Nuc. A spring Nuc will build up well, still give you some honey and soon be in a full hive. Although a 2018 Q in an over wintered Nuc has a low tendency to swarm it’s not unheard of, I lost a swarm this way in my first year. However it would be more unusual for a 2019 Q to swarm that year.
As for local bees or not I don’t think that makes much difference there are good and bad bees everywhere
Wingy

 

[Eyeman]

Ok here is another option. Why buy an over wintered Nuc ? Get to know some members from your club over winter social events and meetings then order a 2019 spring Nuc locally. If from a good bee keeper they should let you visit their apiary talk you through what they are doing and possibly offer you a bit of hands on preparing your Nuc. A spring Nuc will build up well, still give you some honey and soon be in a full hive. Although a 2018 Q in an over wintered Nuc has a low tendency to swarm it’s not unheard of, I lost a swarm this way in my first year. However it would be more unusual for a 2019 Q to swarm that year.
As for local bees or not I don’t think that makes much difference there are good and bad bees everywhere
Wingy

My overwintered nucs are available from late March/ early April. My 2019 nucs won't be available till June.
Folks want bees early in the season and are willing to pay a premium.
When it comes down to whether a 2019 queen in more or less likely to swarm than a 2018 queen- a lot has to do with how the beekeeper manages the colony. Let the box get congested and most will throw up queen cells.

 

[For want of a better word]

Shame the loudest voices in groups tend to 'pounce ' on new members.
I let my local beekeeping membership drop as I could never attend meetings the insurance is pretty useless for the number of hives I have and frankly I don't want to be associated with BBKA.
S

I feel your pain!

Sad when a random nuc ( swarm) seller has the loudest voice..... have you considered the BFA... support without the fannying around....

Chons da

 

[domino]

I feel your pain!

Sad when a random nuc ( swarm) seller has the loudest voice..... have you considered the BFA... support without the fannying around....

Chons da

It is a sad truth, when I first started to two chaps who gave me the most advice turned out to be awful beekeepers in practice, but amazing in theory.

Then one of the quieter, chilled out, members invited me to their apiary to help them with an inspection. Turned out they were, and still is, a great beekeeper.

I only judge beekeepers by their bees now.

It's like Judo, you know good when you feel it.

 

[Wingy]

My overwintered nucs are available from late March/ early April. My 2019 nucs won't be available till June.
Folks want bees early in the season and are willing to pay a premium.
When it comes down to whether a 2019 queen in more or less likely to swarm than a 2018 queen- a lot has to do with how the beekeeper manages the colony. Let the box get congested and most will throw up queen cells.

I fully understand but in my opinion and I know others will think differently as the OP is a new bee keeper I’m guessing at this stage has no practical or hands on experience then a slower start with a 2019 Nuc may be better.
My personal experience I started with a late cast swarm, re queened it and put it to bed over winter as a small Nuc. In the meantime that summer I was being mentored by a bee keeper who produces nucs and Q’s for sale, had hands on experience with over 100 hives but none were ever left to build to full capacity.
Come summer my Nuc was on double Langstroth brood with 3 supers and to be honest it was a daunting experience doing inspections. I made 2 splits, now full hives going into winter but also missed a swarm and lost my Q from the over wintered Nuc.
I also this year bought a Nuc in June for my 8 year old daughter it built up well to full brood & 2 supers, 1 left for over winter food & 1 for my daughter to extract. The pace of build up was slower, no split this year and good for my daughter as a beginner.

 

[Fritillary]

Wardy I would only say that, wherever you get your bees from, try to ensure that you meet beekeeping friends/cronies from closer than 20 miles away. Ideally both experienced folk and fellow beginners. The moral and practical support & sharing I had from beekeepers close by made a huge difference, and continues to do so.

(The first/only nuc I bought wasn't a good start at all, in the sense that the queen never laid an egg in the hive here. She was either DOA or not in the nuc, or died during transfer. I don't know. The vendor, who helped put them in, said he couldn't find her but was sure she was in the hive as the bees were quiet. Well I knew nothing of course. When I first opened them up for a proper look after a spell to let them settle, nothing looked right, there were queen cells and I heard piping! I was horrified. Even so, the bees sorted themselves out, their new queen mated, and I was away.)

 

[Mike Todd]

Not sure about your climate but I live in Kent and ordered a Nuc from a well known supplier in the Cotswolds about 180 miles away. Put them in their new home in May and they've done really well. It seems if you get good stock, from a good supplier they should be fine. Ordered next years Nuc so fingers crossed for hive 2

 

[Wardy]

Thankyou for replying and advice. I didn't think the distance was too far.

 

[Wardy]

Records

Hi all, im getting my bees in a few weeks so I'm pretty excited , just wondered if i need to get a record book to keep all my info?