I Need a Nuc in Utah

Utah · January 14, 2009, 11:29:28 PM

Anyone have a Nuc available for sale in Northern Utah? I had two hives die off during the cold this winter.
Thanks for any reply. I was hoping to find one before the warm weather got closer.

Bryan

Bennettoid · January 15, 2009, 03:57:32 PM

Its a little early for that, isn't it? You should be able to get one in April/May.

bmacior · January 15, 2009, 06:17:23 PM

where in N Utah? I know of someone who may have one in Provo.

Frantz · January 15, 2009, 06:50:54 PM

I PM'd you
F

Utah · January 15, 2009, 08:50:38 PM

Quote from: bmacior on January 15, 2009, 06:17:23 PM
where in N Utah? I know of someone who may have one in Provo.

Thanks, I am in Davis County. Do you know what that person would charge and how it would be packaged?

I'd like to get one up and running with a heater and pollen soon to help expand into a few empty boxes I have.

homer · January 16, 2009, 01:08:29 PM

Quote from: Utah on January 15, 2009, 08:50:38 PM
Quote from: bmacior on January 15, 2009, 06:17:23 PM
where in N Utah? I know of someone who may have one in Provo.

Thanks, I am in Davis County. Do you know what that person would charge and how it would be packaged?

I'd like to get one up and running with a heater and pollen soon to help expand into a few empty boxes I have.

I live in cache county, and I'd say that you should wait till spring, buy a package of bees and let them go on their own. There's a guy up here that sells packages of bees in april for $65. I don't think you would really benefit any from getting them started now.

bmacior · January 20, 2009, 11:09:32 PM

Sorry about the delay in getting back with you. I've sent you a PM with the email contact.

thomashton · January 21, 2009, 06:46:53 PM

I also live in Cache Valley and agree with Homer. Wait until spring and get a package from Jones' or somewhere else.

However, you didn't ask for advice, you asked for a nuc. I'm sorry I don't have one for you.

Sometimes I find that to be a problem that aggravates me. I'll go into Jones Bee Supply and ask for a hive stand. "You don't need one in our climate," I hear. That's not what I asked. I asked if I could buy one from you. If not, I'll buy one elsewhere. It's such a pain and I get it so much I hate going in there. They prefer to tell you what you want instead of gather your money.

homer · January 21, 2009, 11:18:40 PM

Quote from: thomashton on January 21, 2009, 06:46:53 PM
I also live in Cache Valley and agree with Homer. Wait until spring and get a package from Jones' or somewhere else.

However, you didn't ask for advice, you asked for a nuc. I'm sorry I don't have one for you.

Sometimes I find that to be a problem that aggravates me. I'll go into Jones Bee Supply and ask for a hive stand. "You don't need one in our climate," I hear. That's not what I asked. I asked if I could buy one from you. If not, I'll buy one elsewhere. It's such a pain and I get it so much I hate going in there. They prefer to tell you what you want instead of gather your money.

I haven't dealt with them at Jones', but I hear that they are an interesting sort. I find it easier to order online or just build whatever it is that I need. I get my bees from a guy in mendon, in the spring!

Frantz · January 22, 2009, 03:43:05 PM

That is so true about Jones. I started building everything and selling everything to others because I would get so mad about that. I would walk in ask for something and get "you don't need that". I would just look at them dumbfounded. I know that most folks don't need them but I have my bees at 7000ft most of the time, or I just want to try it and see. I would tell them, most time to no avail. Sometimes I know that they had stuff & just wouldn't sell it to me.
I think that they draw straws in the morning and whoever loses has to work the store.
They are the only place in town to get anything for now though...
Hoping to change all that.
F
Here is our new logo. Just finished it.

Utah · February 06, 2009, 11:13:53 PM

Thanks to you all for the advice. I do want a nuc still. I have a line on a few when the weather breaks. Thanks to those who replied.

Oh yeah, I get so frustrated with Jones too. Almost without fail, I will drive out there, out of my way to get some stuff, and I can bet they do not have it. And I can never understand their language over the phone.

They don't keep ANY boxes built to sell, nor do they keep frames built. I asked for pollen patties, nope, maybe when the bees come in. Looked for entrance feeders, they dont think I should use them. Tried to buy a top once, a bottom and inner cover another time, nope.

Frantz, I hope you start a shop of some sort.

I will be making another order from Western Bee again. At least I can get what I want there. ANyone want to go in on an order to save a bit on shipping?

Utah · February 06, 2009, 11:17:34 PM

Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you here in Utah, Jones Bees says they will get in Carniolan Bees the first of April - that is pretty early if they follow through with it.

Anyone have Carniolans here in Utah and what is your opinions on them?

I need an early flyer and one that does better in cold pockets.

Brian D. Bray · February 06, 2009, 11:24:20 PM

Carnies or Rusky's are cold weather bees.

steveb · February 11, 2009, 06:36:54 PM

I know of one guy in Southern Utah County that has Nucs but I am willing to bet he doesn't have any available this early. You could reach him through the Utah County Beekeepers Assn.
As for packages, In Utah county there is Knight Family Honey, Redneck Bees, and The Backyard Beekeeper (Kevin Cook) that all carry packages of several varieties. Knight Family Honey is on the Web, the others can be contacted through Utah County Beekeepers.
As for an alternative source for woodware, try Brother B, in Eagle Mountain. He is listed on the Utah County Beekeepers website in the classified section.
Hope this helps.

homer · February 11, 2009, 07:29:31 PM

Quote from: Utah on February 06, 2009, 11:17:34 PM
Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you here in Utah, Jones Bees says they will get in Carniolan Bees the first of April - that is pretty early if they follow through with it.

Anyone have Carniolans here in Utah and what is your opinions on them?

I need an early flyer and one that does better in cold pockets.

That is when I got my bees last year. Still some cold weather, but they did just fine. I wouldn't worry too much about the date. The folks at knight family honey will have their pacakges ready on April 18th, and they offer 3 adn 4# packages.

thegolfpsycho · February 11, 2009, 07:44:05 PM

I haven't had anywhere near the problems with Jones Bee that you all seem to have had. Never had any trouble understanding them on the phone before driving out there either. Maybe things have changed. Most beekeeping seems to be done on the cheap. KD frames and boxes of all sizes and sorts have usually been available, but I can certainly understand a small store front like that not having dollars tied up in inventory when only the occasional hobbyist will every buy one. Lets face it, they probably don't average ten retail customers a day, and probably less than 10 per week in the winter. They drive to Kohnens and pick up the bees themselves and the packages I have purchased from them in the past have always been healthy and done well for me. As have the queens I have purchased. As far as being an odd sort..... well.. beekeeping as a hobby is what I would call a fringe activity, participated in by mostly odd sorts... bahahahahaha

The OP's effort to get a hive or nuc on hand so early are jumping the gun a bit. 15 inches of snow Tuesday at the mountain site, 6 inches at the house, and 25 degrees overnite low at the airport. I worry more about my colonys failing early in the spring than I do in the dead of winter. Brooding up and getting slammed back by the wildly variably springtime weather in Utah can take a toll. In any case, I have started packages in mid April, and usually had a harvestable surplus. Let the other people take the winter losses, then get yourself some bees.

steveb · February 12, 2009, 07:26:57 PM

Utah, what I hear is that you want to get up and running early. I would suggest that you get some of the 4# packages from Lee Knight. With more bees (Jones is only 2 1/2#) they get a faster start if fed well. I know I have ordered several 4# packages from him as I have some Russian queens coming in later and I want to split the new hives early to have something to support the Russian queens. Lee gets his bees from OHB and they do very well. Lee and OHB have also been great supporters (they donate all the packages) of our youth program, "Be a Beekeeper" where we start off about 15 kids a year in beekeeping. Red Neck and Backyard Bee Keeper get their bees from Kohnens like Jones does.
I recommend supporting your local resources as much as possible. All of our Utah vendors put a lot right back into our Beekeeping Associations. Last year Jones donated Gloves, Hive tools, and some smokers to "Be a Beekeeper" kids. Bother B and Western Bee donated wooden wear.

Utah · February 13, 2009, 12:39:33 AM

Quote from: steveb on February 12, 2009, 07:26:57 PM
Utah, what I hear is that you want to get up and running early. I would suggest that you get some of the 4# packages from Lee Knight. With more bees (Jones is only 2 1/2#) they get a faster start if fed well. I know I have ordered several 4# packages from him as I have some Russian queens coming in later and I want to split the new hives early to have something to support the Russian queens. Lee gets his bees from OHB and they do very well...

Thanks "steveb" - What exactly are the OHB Bees? I was thinking of getting that 4 pound package with a Carni queen from the Knight's. That is $81 dollars with a queen - not bad. I just wanted some earlier than mid-April. I may just keep trying to get mine to expand since I have a hard time finding anyone who has any near me.

Frantz · February 13, 2009, 10:06:52 AM

I will second what steveb said about Lee Knight and his group, and OHB. They are a great group.
We get our bees from OHB as well.
F

steveb · February 17, 2009, 08:09:08 PM

Utah:
OHB is Olivarez Honey Bees out of Chico, CA. Lee is one of his distributors. They offer a good selection of types of bees also.
Steve