If I start off with Italian bees then one year decide I want to replace the colony with Carnolians lets say, can I introduce an already mated carnolian queen into an Italian hive without an issue or will the italians reject the foreign queen and produce an italian queen? Do I have to requeen using the same bee race I currently have? Just curious if this is possible and if its how I'm understanding it.
Another scenario - introducing a virgin carnolian queen into an italian hive - will the queen be able to mate with italian drones?
Yes you can, but you need to know and understand the process to be successful.
The virgin queen will easily breed with whatever drones are available.
Kemp.
Another option would be to make a split next year and give them a Carnolian queen. Than you would have one of each!
John
I second the split idea, that way you are covered. But race does not matter with bees as long as they are queenless and she is introduced correctly, they will accept her.
Good question Kemptville..
That brings another question to mind.........Is there any reason not to have more than one variety of bee in your apairy?
Can the hives be side by side or as close as usual?
I have bees of all kinds of races, mostly all mixed mutts by now.
Quote from: Algonam on March 19, 2012, 08:53:19 PM
Is there any reason not to have more than one variety of bee in your apairy?
Can the hives be side by side or as close as usual?
No reason not to, and they can be side-by-side.
Keep in mind though, that colonies often supersede queens and unless you are diligent in always marking them, you may never know. The result is that you may start out with different races, but you end up with mutts as AllenF noted.
Thanks all for the great information!