Excited novice from Battle Ground Washington

Thershey · July 06, 2013, 05:31:39 PM

First year beekeeper with two hives, very excited about this new venture. Fighting with ants at the moment but otherwise things are going well in spite of an early re-queening problem.

Speaking of queens... Does anyone have a recommendation for reputable queen suppliers? I paid shamrock bees $58 to have a new queen overnighted. The package arrived with crispy critters. Called (got vm) and emailed to get a quick replacement for my queenless hive, no return call, no returned email, no refund. Lesson learned.

mikecva · July 06, 2013, 06:24:11 PM

Welcome to bee keeping. Unfortunately some suppliers do not back their product. Hopefully they either change their ways or go out of business.

Is that Washington DC or Washington St.? -Mike

Kathyp · July 06, 2013, 07:35:02 PM

try Ruhl beekeeping supplies in Gladstone, oregon.
you'll need to pick up, but it's not so far.

http://www.ruhlbeesupply.com/

AllenF · July 06, 2013, 09:23:50 PM

Welcome to the forum and this time of the year, it is too hot to ship bees.

tefer2 · July 06, 2013, 09:55:18 PM

Welcome to the forum, hope your next queen buying experience goes better!

Thershey · July 07, 2013, 01:00:31 PM

Quote from: mikecva on July 06, 2013, 06:24:11 PM
Welcome to bee keeping. Unfortunately some suppliers do not back their product. Hopefully they either change their ways or go out of business.

Is that Washington DC or Washington St.? -Mike

Washington State Mike.

Thershey · July 07, 2013, 01:10:20 PM

Quote from: kathyp on July 06, 2013, 07:35:02 PM
try Ruhl beekeeping supplies in Gladstone, oregon.
you'll need to pick up, but it's not so far.

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Thanks Kathy....Actually Ruhl saved my bacon. I originally called them on Friday when my queen died but it was too late to make their once a week order, they did however put me on a waiting list. I called them after my crispy package arrived and was able to get a replacement queen. Two more agonizing days till I can open the hive and see if she made it out of her cage without getting killed like her predecessor.

Kathyp · July 07, 2013, 01:34:27 PM

i am not sure where they get their queens now. they used to all be local. they are pretty good folks, if a little spendy sometimes....but when you need stuff, you need stuff!

Thershey · July 11, 2013, 03:47:59 PM

Thank you all again for the opinions and advice.

Joe D · July 12, 2013, 12:50:38 AM

Welcome to the forum, Thershey. Good luck to you and your new addiction.

Joe

Thershey · July 26, 2013, 12:32:08 AM

Quote from: Joe D on July 12, 2013, 12:50:38 AM
Welcome to the forum, Thershey. Good luck to you and your new addiction.

Thank you Joe. Happy to report that both my hives are doing very well, great brood pattern and lots of it. This past Monday my wife and I were inspecting the hives when we noticed several little pin holes in some if the brood. I then noticed an antenna sticking out of one and realized we were watching bees emerge. We couldn't help ourselves, probably overstayed or welcome but the hive stayed calm so we watched for 15 minutes and saw several bees emerge. We felt like proud parents.