"Survivor bees" found in Blenheim Forest

[rolande]

But they can import carnica, sure they had some off the Germans

Not an issue if you're building a national export market based on the guarantee of one type of bee (edit: or a simple conservation project based on subspecies ) surely? The important thing is to make sure no one has bees that don't conform with the product that you wish to be known for.

 

[Finman]

I wonder what fun is in exporting Carni queens.
It is very popular bee. Perhaps breeds are more important than the race.

 

[rolande]

I wonder what fun is in exporting Carni queens.
It is very popular bee. Perhaps breeds are more important than the race.

'Breeds' are far more important than race but much harder to maintain.

 

[Finman]

'Breeds' are far more important than race but much harder to maintain.

That is true. I have tried Buckfasts. It does not succeed in small apiary and in open mating.

But I do not want unselected Carnis.
Of course you can buy them from East Europe and you get what ever.

 

[rolande]

get what ever.

you certainly do!

 

[Ian123]

Not an issue if you're building a national export market based on the guarantee of one type of bee (edit: or a simple conservation project based on subspecies ) surely? The important thing is to make sure no one has bees that don't conform with the product that you wish to be known for.

Yes but I’m sure there’s been examples of beekeepers being offered buckfast from some of these conservation areas

 

[Gilberdyke John]

For the same reason that Jehovah's Witnesses knock on your door rather than just have meetings between themselves.

Reminds me of moving into a new (to us) home and sitting down to Sunday lunch began to form a regular pattern of doorbell ringing, two witnesses on the step with the opening gambit to my wife "we won't keep you long" which turned out to be a lie every time and meal went cold. It stopped when I opened the door and responded "no you're absolutely correct" and closed the door. They must have passed the word because they or others never came back.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

light black with dark black stripes?

Available in seven exciting shades of black?

 

[madasafish]

Reminds me of moving into a new (to us) home and sitting down to Sunday lunch began to form a regular pattern of doorbell ringing, two witnesses on the step with the opening gambit to my wife "we won't keep you long" which turned out to be a lie every time and meal went cold. It stopped when I opened the door and responded "no you're absolutely correct" and closed the door. They must have passed the word because they or others never came back.

You are far too polite.

I open the door, recognise them , say "No thank you, Please stop calling" and close the door.
Works every time.

(My wife thinks I am rude and heartless: she is correct)

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Reminds me of moving into a new (to us) home and sitting down to Sunday lunch began to form a regular pattern of doorbell ringing, two witnesses on the step with the opening gambit to my wife "we won't keep you long" which turned out to be a lie every time and meal went cold. It stopped when I opened the door and responded "no you're absolutely correct" and closed the door. They must have passed the word because they or others never came back.

We were blacklisted years ago. I remember the day, the weather was awful, windy and the rain was pelting down, we had no porch at that house, I answered the door to the usual "we won't keep you long, but tell me, what comes to mind when I say the word 'Armageddon'?"
Unfortunately for them, on that day I had stayed at home while the rest of the family had gone visiting - to study for an important scripture 'A' level exam. They managed to escape half an hour later - soaked to the skin.

 

[rolande]

Yes but I’m sure there’s been examples of beekeepers being offered buckfast from some of these conservation areas

Wouldn't surprise me to learn that this is a fact because the world is full of people breaking their own local rules in every sphere of life.

What would surprise me would be to learn that the buckfast breeder you refer to has much of a reputation as a supplier of quality bees.

 

[mbc]

Imo they are mad bees and don't know when to slow down

The beekeepers I know who've successfully managed carnies for honey production seem to accept they'll all want to build quick and swarm so they liked to get their swarm control in early and recombine for the main flow.
Good bees if you're prepared to get on the treadmill of periodic requeening from outside.

 

[mbc]

We were blacklisted years ago. I remember the day, the weather was awful, windy and the rain was pelting down, we had no porch at that house, I answered the door to the usual "we won't keep you long, but tell me, what comes to mind when I say the word 'Armageddon'?"
Unfortunately for them, on that day I had stayed at home while the rest of the family had gone visiting - to study for an important scripture 'A' level exam. They managed to escape half an hour later - soaked to the skin.

Best thing to do is to ask them if you read their literature and join their cult whether you can join them in their ascension(spoiler- you can't, it's a closed shop)

 

[Finman]

Good bees if you're prepared to get on the treadmill of periodic requeening from outside.

Carniolan bees have conquered most area from black bees in Europe. Good bees, as Mbc says.

 

[Pete D]

It will be interesting to see how many of these survivor bees actually survive this winter with limited stores and no varroa treatment. Judging by the amount of deadouts due to either of the above that I am getting calls / e mails about in 'managed' colonies. The un-seasonally warm weather has led to more brood and more stores consumption than normal it seems.

 

[Erichalfbee]

It will be interesting to see how many of these survivor bees actually survive this winter with limited stores and no varroa treatment. Judging by the amount of deadouts due to either of the above that I am getting calls / e mails about in 'managed' colonies. The un-seasonally warm weather has led to more brood and more stores consumption than normal it seems.

They have survived from the ice age though?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

It will be interesting to see how many of these survivor bees actually survive this winter with limited stores and no varroa treatment.

Wasn't the crowd funding appeal to raise money to replace the last lot of bees he had which died of neglect?

 

[Nige.Coll]

colony of bees in an ash tree, the tree is being cut down in the next 2 weeks.
The woman says there have been bees in the tree since she has lived at the house and they have swarmed every year and been visible from march in every year, she is upset the tree has to go. It has ash dieback so unsafe.
She has lived at the property for 35 years.
No one is making a fuss about these bees, no one will even know when they are destroyed.
I've asked if the tree surgeons can save them and been left with no confidence it will happen.

 

[Wilco]

colony of bees in an ash tree, the tree is being cut down in the next 2 weeks.
The woman says there have been bees in the tree since she has lived at the house and they have swarmed every year and been visible from march in every year, she is upset the tree has to go. It has ash dieback so unsafe.
She has lived at the property for 35 years.
No one is making a fuss about these bees, no one will even know when they are destroyed.
I've asked if the tree surgeons can save them and been left with no confidence it will happen.

Did you ask the lady or the tree surgeons? If the former, ask the latter direct as they may appreciate a heads up rather than getting stung. If the latter, surely the former has some say over it if it's on her land. Or lurk on the day and snaffle them if you get a chance.

 

[Newbeeneil]

My experience with tree surgeons has always been very positive. They don’t like the idea of getting stung so are keen to get advice.
One craned the section of a beech tree down and sawed it in two so I could take the bees out.