A few more questions.....

[mgates61]

First let me say thanks to all who responded to my first post.  I am going through all of the information as  I can. 

Now for the next questions.

1.)  I am leaning towards either the Australian or caucasion bees.  Is there any one that will be better for a beginner ??

1.)  What is the best place to order bees from and how soon should I order ?


Thanks again for all the info.  OK.....back to reading.

[Michael Bush]

>1.)  I am leaning towards either the Australian or caucasion bees.  Is there any one that will be better for a beginner ??

I personally wouldn't get any from Australia, but they aren't a race.  Caucasians are a race and I don't know where to find any.

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

>1.)  What is the best place to order bees from

There are many good suppliers.  I can't say who is the best.  A local beekeeper would be good.  It's probably best to find a local club as they often get a truckload of bees in.

> and how soon should I order ?

Now.

[Brian D. Bray]

The Caucasians are docile, to much so, IMO.  If I were recommending bees to a beginner these days I'd say start with Russian.  The problem with the Austrailian bees are that It's the only place on earth (other than a few isolated islands) that does not have varroa.  I think they'd have a tendency to be overwhelmed by varroa early on.  Russian have some resistance to varroa.  The Russians are calm, good workers, work later in the day, in colder weather, and seem to be a bit harder all around.  Their downside is that Russians have a tendency to be a bit swarmmy.

Causcasians used to be fairly popular back in the 60's but soon fell out of favor due to sluggish performance.  They are basically a black bee with grey stripes.  I believe NWCs have some Caucasian blood in them.  The only one who still has some that I know of is Olympic Wilderness Apiary in Port Angeles, Washington.  His bees are from feral stock found on an isolated part of the Olympic Pennisula and cross bred with Italian and Russian survivor stock also.  I do recommend his queens.  He doesn't sell packages or nuc--just queens.  They act and look more like Carnies or Russians than Caucasians.

[mgates61]

OOPS.......Meant Italians not Aussies.

[johnnybigfish]

Heyukkk heyukkk heyukkk...!
Mgates, thats funny!(Fish grins and teeth fall out!)
I wanna say Italians. I'm only saying this Because I kinda think Michael and Brian might say this(esp.after they went thru all the expanations of Australians instead of Italians),
Sorry about my sense of humor guys,,,The "Oops" just blew me away!!
your friend, (I hope)
john

[Jerrymac]

Forgive him folks, he lives too close to Oklahoma.  :-D

[Hopeful]

Uh, hmmmm.....

You know, Oklahoma is just the biggest county in Texas.  :-D

[johnnybigfish]

Oh boy,....My 2 best friends here(Jerry and Hopeful...hee hheee)
are starting to sound like my wife. She comes to my defense and I end up in bigger trouble. I like Oklahoma!!..Their speed limit is 75 which means a person can drive 80!
Ok, really now,....I bet Mgates would like an answer..What kind of bees?...Italian?....Russian?...............,,,,AUSTRALIAN??
  Dont worry Mgates, you're going to be my 3rd best friend!!(And THAT means ALOT!!!)...sort of!
Oh well, Sorry, I do get "Clowny" sometimes. You'll get more serious answers soon...I still think Italians for all around.
your friend,
john

[ronbert]

Kevin Jester is located near Joneboro. He sells Russians

ron

[pdmattox]

hands down I would go with itailans. Austrailan or hawian. The bees will figure out what to do with the mites if not you can treat them with chems or natural.

[LocustHoney]

I have Italians and so far I love them. The only draw back is I have experienced intense robbing at times. Lost two hives to robbing. Both were probably...ok...my fault. Opened them up in a dearth and barely nicked the honey. Man were they tenacious!!! :evil:

[steveouk]

What's wrong with Oklahoma !!!

[qa33010]

    Kevin Jester has Russian and Minnesota Hygienic Italians.  He is over in West Ridge and I think he is taking orders now.   Here's his web link 

http://www.jesterbee.com/Queenbeesales.html

or get with a local breeder, maybe in the local association.  Here's some info from the state website.

http://www.arbeekeepers.org/local.htm

Good luck!!

I'm not sure of the Australians and maybe Caucasians since I have Russians (from Kevin) and feral and also a hive of I beleive to be a Caucasion cross.  The last I've heard is they were caucasian, but have been crossed with locals and they have kept most of the brown color.  I have enjoyed all hives and hope to learn even more this year and hopefully get some and other breeds or better yet ferals that have been around awhile that are also excellent producers.

[Jerrymac]

What's wrong with Oklahoma !!!

Why do you ask this question  :?

[steveouk]

Because i just moved here form the UK ! Go Sooners Go !!

[Jerrymac]

Because i just moved here form the UK ! Go Sooners Go !!

OH. OK. I guess there is nothing wrong with Oklahoma. It was put there to keep Texas from picking on New Mexico. Arkansas isn't any fun to pick on cause they wouldn't understand. 

[johnnybigfish]

Hey Steveouk!
Whre in Great Bitain are you from?
I was born right near a place called Cirencecester? I only lived there till I was about 2 though..I have a screwy accent.
your friend,
john

[steveouk]

Lol Jerry

I lived in Manchester before arriving on these here shores.. Best thing i ever did ! Apart form getting interested in bee's

[reinbeau]

What's wrong with Oklahoma !!!

Why do you ask this question  :?

Read up the thread a bit and you'll see why  ;)

[Jerrymac]

What's wrong with Oklahoma !!!

Why do you ask this question  :?

Read up the thread a bit and you'll see why  ;)

Now you stepped in it. What are you talking about. (I ask after reading up)