Howdy everyone!
I am wondering if anyone knows where in S.W. VA, or N. E. Tenn. to buy packages of bees? I would like to pick them up, but am not oppossed to mail order-although the local postal carrier may be :-D
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Is there a shortage on natural foundation? So far the most foundation I see advertised is plastic, which i have never used, and was told years ago that the bees really don't care for it.
Last question,
What is the deal on honey bees being in short supply? I have lived here in Northeast TN for almost 2 years now and have not seen any great numbers of honey bees. I see that there are sporatic reports of huge honey bee losses from all over. What is causing this? A great variety of problems or some special new virus that is wiping out colonized as well as wild honey bees? I know here in TN the hives must be registered and inspected by a state inspector. I have no issue with this as this is a free service. I am suspecting that there is some disease that is running rampant that has wiped out the bees here in TN. That would be a great reason why the state started a few years back inspecting colonies. Anybody have insights?
Quote from: bigbike4 on February 10, 2009, 07:27:42 PM
Next question,
Is there a shortage on natural foundation? So far the most foundation I see advertised is plastic, which i have never used, and was told years ago that the bees really don't care for it.
Medium brood foundation is what you want. There is wired and unwired, you want the unwired.
QuoteLast question,
What is the deal on honey bees being in short supply? I have lived here in Northeast TN for almost 2 years now and have not seen any great numbers of honey bees. I see that there are sporatic reports of huge honey bee losses from all over. What is causing this? a great variety of problems or some special new virus that is wiping out colonized as well as wild honey bees? I know here in TN the hives must be registered and inspected by a state inspector. I have no issue with this as this is a free service. I am suspecting that there is some disease that is running rampant that has wiped out the bees here in TN. That would be a great reason why the state started a few years back inspecting colonies. Anybody have insights?
Tracheal and Varroa mites, numerous viruses, small hive beetle, and nosema carne are all problems that have occured in the last 25 years that have taken a toll on the bee population, and then there's the fungicides, pesticides, and other chemicals applied to food crops. Many beekeepers chose to quit rather than continue and learn to adapt to new problems. These same pests, diseases, and poisons decimated a good portion of the feral bee population as well.
Many beekeepers are still agrivating the problem by using "non-lethal" doses of miiticides, etc in their beehives in an attempt to control the mites and small hive beetles.
Finally the industry as a whole is beginning to realize that the only effective way of managing bees to the point the population can rebound naturally is to let the bees develop natural immunities and resistances.
There is no such thing as "natural foundation". ;)
Some adjust to plastic just fine and some seem to refuse to work it if you do use it feed heavily till they build it out. Brian pretty well answered the question of whats happening to them as far as getting bees see if there are any local beekeepers around they may be willing to sell you a nuc and we all know nucs are better than packages. If you can't find some locally look for your bee association they should be able to direct you.