Best beginner bees?

Duc Duck Doc · January 21, 2019, 10:18:31 AM

Hi there! I'm brand new to beekeeping - 3 weeks into my first beekeeping class here in Chatham County, NC. I'm overwhelmed by the information available, most of which seems contradictory. I have read of the benefits of Russian bees, but folks here have said they can be aggressive. Furthermore, since everyone in the area has Italian bees, it is extremely likely that any virgin queen who eventually emerges from my hive (yes, I know, way down the line!) will result in hybridized bees. Should I just follow the herd into Italian bees? Thanks!

iddee · January 21, 2019, 12:01:55 PM

In a couple of years your bees will be Italian hybrid mutts, so you may as well start there.

cao · January 21, 2019, 12:20:05 PM

I agree with iddee. It only really matters if you are going to breed queens for sale.

Hops Brewster · January 21, 2019, 12:30:21 PM

Locally sourced bees that have survived local conditions are the best bees for beginners, IMO.

BeeMaster2 · January 21, 2019, 07:47:39 PM

A lot of good advice. Stick with local bees.
Jim

Michael Bush · January 22, 2019, 09:29:20 AM

>I'm overwhelmed by the information available, most of which seems contradictory.

You should probably get used to that...

>I have read of the benefits of Russian bees, but folks here have said they can be aggressive. Furthermore, since everyone in the area has Italian bees, it is extremely likely that any virgin queen who eventually emerges from my hive (yes, I know, way down the line!) will result in hybridized bees. Should I just follow the herd into Italian bees? Thanks!

Changing the race of bees is the easiest thing in beekeeping to change. I would not lose a lot of sleep over it. But if you can get local mutts, that's what I would do. If you can't, I like Carniolans.

paus · January 22, 2019, 01:21:15 PM

I agree with Mr. Bush. This is what I have done and in a year or two after getting ,what are probably commercial swarms, the hives generally turn into the feral black bee that is prevalent in my neck of the woods. I love them they are a lot like me hardheaded and protective. I am going foundationless and treatment free, they seem to thrive this way and the hives are doing well.

Michael Bush · January 22, 2019, 06:02:32 PM

There are more differences from colony to colony than from race to race.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesraces.htm

MikeyN.C. · January 22, 2019, 06:20:57 PM

So always make Q's. From best survivors in yard?

Vance G · January 22, 2019, 11:04:48 PM

My experience with Russians has not been good. In fact some of the outcrossed colonies after swarming or supercedure were down right vicious. A mean hive is not a good one to learn with. You just won't spend a lot of time with the colony open. That can be a good thing. But Carniolans are mostly little kittens with wings that make a good honey crop, but then they swarm the next spring. That being said, Italians are readily available everywhere for a reason. They have the variability Mr. Bush speaks of but they are selected by the majority of beekeepers. Local mutts are the way to go if they are available to you.