Wild Bumble Bee maniac?

[TimTimmy]

Hello,

I have a friend who has some wild bees in a hole in a tree in his garden.

When I showed him a pic of a honey bee, he said it was a bit fatter, a bit like a Bumble Bee.

So would it bee reliable to get those bees for my hive?

I've already read that bumble bees are in extinction so some campaigns prohibit beekeeping them, but isn't it better to get people beekeeping those bees so that they don't die out e.g. by varroa?

Also, if this is not an option, I'd like to know typically how much is the price for some good bees, please?

Thank you very much for all your time

 

[enrico]

Presuming this isn't a wind up!
Bumble bees are no good for your hive, you won't be able to transfer them. Totally different way of life too!
A swarm of honey bees can be free, you can buy a swarm for around fifty pounds, you can buy a known queen laying nuc for around £100 and you can buy a full hive with bees for around £250.
All these prices are approximate as they differ from area to area, the quality of the bees and the hive etc etc.
Make a hive to known dimensions yourself get some frames and foundation in it and leave it outside in the hope that a swarm might move in. You never know!
Find a local beekeeper and ask if they will show you a little about beekeeping. It just might not be for you!
E

 

[BeeJayBee]

I have a friend who has some wild bees in a hole in a tree in his garden.

When I showed him a pic of a honey bee, he said it was a bit fatter, a bit like a Bumble Bee.

So would it bee reliable to get those bees for my hive?

I've already read that bumble bees are in extinction so some campaigns prohibit beekeeping them, but isn't it better to get people beekeeping those bees so that they don't die out e.g. by varroa?

These bees would be best left in the hole in the tree in your friend's garden, the colony will only be there until the end of the summer.

There's no law against keeping bumble bees, otherwise glasshouse growers would be in deep trouble as they use some species for pollination, but they might not be as interesting or as challenging to keep as honey bees because they don't overwinter.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

And you won't get any honey off them

 

[pargyle]

Tim .... Instead of worrying about building a hive you would be better advised to spend this season reading some bee books and then book yourself onto a beekeeping course over the winter (when most of them run) and then think about starting beekeeping NEXT year ... you really are a long way from the starting gate at present.

Have you joined an association yet ? It's very inexpensive if you don't have bees and you will get the opportunity to visit some apiaries over the season and get some idea of what is involved ... whereabouts in the UK are you ? - You might even find a forum member who will let you accompany them to their hives.