Question for Jp

[backyard warrior]

I read that you started russian packages a few years back what can you tell me about them if you dont mind ???? Swarmy?? tempermanet?? honey storage ?? brood build up ?? thanks in advance  Chris  everyone else with russian experience feel free to give more info thanks.

[JP]

One was one of the best hives I've ever had, huge honey producer, pretty gentle too. I recall one or two others being a bit aggressive but not overly so. They seem to love making queen cells but also seem to tear them down as well.

I lost one from Katrina, they absconded after a branch fell on them. I lost one to mites, one swarmed out a bit too much and had too many boxes on and wax moth did it in. I believe that was the good one.

There was a fourth but can't recall what happened with that one.

My buddy Bailey purchased a few, maybe more than a few and his have done well, albeit a lil pissy at times.

Mine and Bailey's were from Varnado, Louisiana. Keith from Baton Rouge (a member on here) purchased some Russians I believe from Lafayette, Louisiana and absolutely hated them because of their extreme aggression.

Sorry I couldn't be more of help, everything I have now is from swarms and cut outs and who knows their lineage, exactly. Definitely have Italian in them though and pretty darn good bees.

I know Sam Comfort of http://anarchyapiaries.org/ has dealt with Russians quite a bit. Of course Brendhan (Understudy) has Sam doing removals just about every day down in West Palm Beach, Florida, so Lord only knows what they are pulling out there right now.


...JP

[bailey]

my father in law bought one, we split it  twice, they are great producers but they are a bit testy.
fine producers though.
Bailey

[Brian D. Bray]

Bear in  mind that Russian Bees, by their initial environment, are norther aclimated bees, get them too far south and they suffer heat stroke just like us Yankees do.  Pissy Russians usually show up on what we northerners call extreme heat, or dog days, of summer.

[BjornBee]

Bear in  mind that Russian Bees, by their initial environment, are norther aclimated bees, get them too far south and they suffer heat stroke just like us Yankees do.  Pissy Russians usually show up on what we northerners call extreme heat, or dog days, of summer.

I don't really agree with that. Although I think the marketing angle for promotion of regionalized and northern raised Russians could be a good one.  ;) Just another reason to be added of why the idiots first took them to Louisiana to breed them from the beginning was a mistake.  :roll:

If we are going to humanize bees, I like to look at it this way.

Lets take Italians...and call them the group who works for the business owner most like to work for. The guy who is very even keeled, responds slow to the markets and changing business environment, and expect a steady productive pace from the workers in his business. For many, this is the ideal place to work.

Lets take Russians....and call them the business run by Donald Trump. This group of workers are controlled by a type A driver personality.  They respond quickly to changing environments are constantly tweeking here, and changing there. They are workers who are driven, and are expected to be the best.

Now, I ask you.....with everything being the same, I bet some would love to work for the slow methodical owner who while being productive, also is a bit laid back. While others look for a challenge and want the chance to work for an owner like Donald.

And while in good times, who could argue in working for either one. Now throw in the bad times. Add market uncertainty.....lets call that ....the changing environment and less honey production in general. Lets throw in outside forces that impact the business.....lets call this mites, disease, etc.

Will the easy go lucky owner (Italians) do what is needed to make sure his business stays afloat? Will Donald (Russians) and his more active stance and willingness to react, give him the edge?

I look at Russians as a hyper active Donald Trump hive. They react quickly to outside influences. Donald and the hive may be rough around the edges. They may be a bit cocky and arrogant. Are they aggressive and mean? I don't think so. They react the same to me as they do all entering outside threats. They don't want me, wax moths, SHB, or other pests inside their hives.

I've talked to many beekeepers about their most productive hives. And also their hives with the best mite counts. And it always seems to be the hyper active and more defensive hives are the hive producing the most.

If you were a spy for another company. A competitor looking to move into another businesses' territory. Or a sub-par worker with an inflated resume looking for work....would you rather sit down or go up against the laid back owner? Or would you rather walk in and try to get past Donald?

I'm not asking you to choose whether you want to work for a really nice guy with family values or suggesting such owners are not successful. I'm just pointing out the difference between two personalities, and their strengths and potential weaknesses.

My bees, while nice, are like a Donald hive. If an outside bug comes along with bad intentions, Donald is more apt to squash the challenger real fast. That may sound nasty for some. Maybe you think the other hive "owner" would be just as effective? I don't know.

I have hives that let things walk around all day. Wax moths, SHB, and mites. Real nice bees and productive while not succumbing to these pests......But they sometimes do.

I also have hives that are a bit more like having A.D.D. They can not sit still. They are active. They are productive. And they don't put up with no crap from outsiders inside their hive. I like those "Donald" hives. That does not mean stinging all the time. It just means they are a bit more active and can handle what comes along.

[bailey]

in country boy terms he is saying their just a bit more prone to sting!

dont matter who they work for, if they are quick to sting they are meaner than the calm hive.

bailey