Buckfast Gentle?

Steel Tiger · July 13, 2014, 04:28:06 PM

Everything I've read says that buckfast bees are pretty docile. I've mowed by my bees plenty of times without a problem. This year I got a package of Buckfast. About 1/2 an hour ago, I went to mow and those bees couldn't get out of the hive fast enough. I received at least 10 stings and they chased me all the way to the front yard. I just read the post that several people agree that Buckfast are no longer considered a gentle bee. Requeening will be done next weekend.

BeeMaster2 · July 13, 2014, 09:57:28 PM

Steel,
Get an Italian queen.
I cut around my bees with a riding mower and weedwack under the front edge with no problem.
Before you re queen, what was the weather like? Was it clear blue skies or was there a storm coming in?
Jim

biggraham610 · July 14, 2014, 12:47:16 AM

Quote from: sawdstmakr on July 13, 2014, 09:57:28 PM
Steel,
Get an Italian queen.
I cut around my bees with a riding mower and weedwack under the front edge with no problem.
Before you re queen, what was the weather like? Was it clear blue skies or was there a storm coming in?
Jim

No hard feelings Jim, but even with questionable weather bees going out of their way to attack and following to continue wont be in my yard either. I do the same as you and the weather really hasnt seemed to bother mine. I just mow when I can and they always mind their own business. Of course the first few laps around the hives I do make sure the exhaust is in the opposite direction. Good Luck Tiger. G :chop:

RHBee · July 14, 2014, 08:11:38 AM

ST,
Your headed the right direction. I wouldn't have a colony like that either. Italian.
Ray

Joe D · July 14, 2014, 09:24:12 PM

I've had good luck with Cordovan and Russian being gentle. I don't want a fussy bee either.

Joe

Michael Bush · July 15, 2014, 07:46:20 AM

> Everything I've read says that buckfast bees are pretty docile.

Then everything you read was about the ones from England or the stock raised from those up until AHB moved into Texas...

Steel Tiger · July 15, 2014, 10:15:03 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on July 15, 2014, 07:46:20 AM
Then everything you read was about the ones from England or the stock raised from those up until AHB moved into Texas...

That's probably the case. I'll be replacing the queen with a Carniolan as soon as I'm able.

OldMech · July 19, 2014, 12:58:27 AM

I have italians, Carnys and whatever cross the feral bees in this area are from. I HAD a few hives that were grumpy..
Why were they grumpy? As mentioned, was the weather bad? Queenless? Disease or mites? A skunk etc bugging them, a branch rubbing against the hive every time the wind blows? If None of those things were driving them to be mean, they got a different queen, or they got split up into nuc's with new queens. Italian, Carniolan, Russian, Cordovan, Buckfast, etc.. I dont think it is so much the name as it is the genetics.. As Mr. Bush said, same line from a different place/breeder can be a very different bee.

Steel Tiger · July 19, 2014, 01:26:19 AM

Quote from: OldMech on July 19, 2014, 12:58:27 AM

I have italians, Carnys and whatever cross the feral bees in this area are from. I HAD a few hives that were grumpy..
Why were they grumpy? As mentioned, was the weather bad? Queenless? Disease or mites? A skunk etc bugging them, a branch rubbing against the hive every time the wind blows? If None of those things were driving them to be mean, they got a different queen, or they got split up into nuc's with new queens. Italian, Carniolan, Russian, Cordovan, Buckfast, etc.. I dont think it is so much the name as it is the genetics.. As Mr. Bush said, same line from a different place/breeder can be a very different bee.

The weather was alright. A storm was suppose to move in later. The hive was made from a package almost two months ago. Two or three weeks ago I added a second deep with 10 empty, foundationless frames. All frames are now drawn and filled. They're very productive bees. I've seen no sign of disease or mites. Unless rabbits are harassing them, then they're not being bothered by any animals.
Today I went out to mow. It was in the low 80s and not a cloud in the sky. The first pass, a few chased me. The second pass, they were waiting. A nice little cloud of bees at the entrance. The hive next to them are Italians. They didn't seem to be bothered very much by the mower.
I have two new queens on order now. I should have them in about 11 days. My plan is to split that hive, giving each new queen two deeps with 8 frames of brood, 2 frames of honey, and 10 empty frames as well as a medium full of honey and an empty medium.
I'm considering taking the Buckfast queen and giving her a hive out in the woods, far away from any lawn mowing. I could set her up with a single deep with 2-4 frames of brood and a couple mediums with some honey.

BeeMaster2 · July 19, 2014, 07:28:03 AM

Sounds like a good plan.
Jim

rober · July 21, 2014, 02:35:55 PM

Canadian queen mother northern raised & gentle buckfast bees.

http://northernbeenetwork.com/directory/categories/selling-queens

Jim134 · July 21, 2014, 03:10:26 PM

Quote from: rober on July 21, 2014, 02:35:55 PM
Canadian queen mother northern raised & gentle buckfast bees.

http://northernbeenetwork.com/directory/categories/selling-queens

I do know the borders from Canada to the USA was shut down for bees imports or exports in about 1985 or so. When I checked on it in 2000 it was still closed.

Have they opened it ?

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

biggraham610 · July 21, 2014, 03:48:16 PM

Quote from: Jim 134 on July 21, 2014, 03:10:26 PM
Quote from: rober on July 21, 2014, 02:35:55 PM
Canadian queen mother northern raised & gentle buckfast bees.

http://northernbeenetwork.com/directory/categories/selling-queens

I do know the borders from Canada to the USA was shut down for bees imports or exports in about 1985 or so. When I checked on it in 2000 it was still closed.

Have they opened it ?

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

I got in touch with Ferguson earlier this year when I was going to add some buckfast. They said they would ship to the US. It was cost prohibitive for a small order. I think it was like 90 bucks for inspection wether you ordered 1 or 20. I might try one in the future. As for now, Im satisfied with my open mated VSH granddaughters from Mike Haney at Ridgetop.

BeeMaster2 · July 21, 2014, 09:46:22 PM

Quote from: Jim 134 on July 21, 2014, 03:10:26 PM
Quote from: rober on July 21, 2014, 02:35:55 PM
Canadian queen mother northern raised & gentle buckfast bees.

http://northernbeenetwork.com/directory/categories/selling-queens

I do know the borders from Canada to the USA was shut down for bees imports or exports in about 1985 or so. When I checked on it in 2000 it was still closed.

Have they opened it ?

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

Isn't it amazing! We cannot stop millions of illegal aliens from crossing the boarder but we have no problems stopping a few hives from crossing.
Jim

biggraham610 · July 21, 2014, 09:51:42 PM

Quote from: sawdstmakr on July 21, 2014, 09:46:22 PM
Quote from: Jim 134 on July 21, 2014, 03:10:26 PM
Quote from: rober on July 21, 2014, 02:35:55 PM
Canadian queen mother northern raised & gentle buckfast bees.

http://northernbeenetwork.com/directory/categories/selling-queens

I do know the borders from Canada to the USA was shut down for bees imports or exports in about 1985 or so. When I checked on it in 2000 it was still closed.

Have they opened it ?

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Isn't it amazing! We cannot stop millions of illegal aliens from crossing the boarder but we have no problems stopping a few hives from crossing.
Jim

Shame aint it Jim...... G :chop:

BeeMaster2 · July 21, 2014, 09:59:47 PM

Quote from: biggraham610 on July 21, 2014, 09:51:42 PM
Quote from: sawdstmakr on July 21, 2014, 09:46:22 PM
Quote from: Jim 134 on July 21, 2014, 03:10:26 PM
Quote from: rober on July 21, 2014, 02:35:55 PM
Canadian queen mother northern raised & gentle buckfast bees.

http://northernbeenetwork.com/directory/categories/selling-queens

I do know the borders from Canada to the USA was shut down for bees imports or exports in about 1985 or so. When I checked on it in 2000 it was still closed.

Have they opened it ?

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Isn't it amazing! We cannot stop millions of illegal aliens from crossing the boarder but we have no problems stopping a few hives from crossing.
Jim

Shame aint it Jim...... G :chop:

It sure. The truth of the matter is, they don't want to close it.
Jim

biggraham610 · July 21, 2014, 10:29:29 PM

Thats the sad truth Im afraid. Cost em votes down the road. We can take this to another forum, guess we ought to stick with the beekeeping here. Good Luck as always. G :chop:

Jim134 · July 22, 2014, 02:15:17 AM

Quote from: sawdstmakr on July 21, 2014, 09:46:22 PM
Isn't it amazing! We cannot stop millions of illegal aliens from crossing the boarder but we have no problems stopping a few hives from crossing.
Jim

I did look up the laws since this post the way it look to me Queens can only go one way Canada to the USA. Maybe I need to read some more to see if the is right or no and hives of bees either way.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

OldMech · July 22, 2014, 10:21:52 AM

Quote from: biggraham610 on July 21, 2014, 03:48:16 PM
Im satisfied with my open mated VSH granddaughters from Mike Haney at Ridgetop.

Indeed! I bought 5 of Mikes queens to try this year. I am impressed so far. If they make the winter well I will be ordering more, as well as making daughters.

Steel Tiger · July 22, 2014, 10:42:30 AM

Quote from: Jim 134 on July 22, 2014, 02:15:17 AM
I did look up the laws since this post the way it look to me Queens can only go one way Canada to the USA. Maybe I need to read some more to see if the is right or no and hives of bees either way.

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

That's strange that a hive of bees can travel in either direction but a queen can only go one way. I guess that's the sort of thing that happens when government gets involved.