Ordering/receiving your bee order questions?

jpryce · October 05, 2009, 12:06:49 AM

Hope these aren't too goofy of questions. I've never ordered bees and plan on ordering enough for 2 hives this winter as soon as they come available.
My questions are?
1. Would you order both hives same breed same breeder? Is it a good idea to try two different types?

2. If possible would you drive to pick them up? How far would you drive to avoid shipping your bees? I'm gonna try and find some local bee breeders but so far the closest looks to be about a 2-3 hour drive.

3. I think my biggest question is, how are they delivered? Do you have to pick them up at your local post office. My mail person isn't always good about leaving a note letting me know I have a package. What if they call and I'm not home?

Thanks for you help!

sc-bee · October 05, 2009, 09:30:39 AM

Quote from: jpryce on October 05, 2009, 12:06:49 AM

3. I think my biggest question is, how are they delivered? Do you have to pick them up at your local post office. My mail person isn't always good about leaving a note letting me know I have a package. What if they call and I'm not home?

I guess we are talking packages.It sometimes depends on the instructions you receive or give to the supplier. Some suppliers have shipment options others don't. Some use USPS some UPS. You may want to consider insurance.

The packages are shipped in a wooden box frame/ wire cage. They have a queen in a cage if you ordered a package with queen. The cage has a small can of feed/ to supply some feed during trip.

Call you local Post office (if USPS is used) and inform them when you expect the bees. Ask for a call when they receive them. IF the office is close drive to pick them up. Make sure they know not to leave them in the heat or direct sun etc. The package from the shipper usually states this, but often it does not happen. You may or may not receive the call, depends on the reliability of your local post office, and alot of times how comfortable they are with the bees in the office. Alot of offices are not comfortable with them and will call you right away!

BeeHopper · October 05, 2009, 10:48:05 AM

Whatever race of bees you could get so as long they are from a reputable company, there's plenty in CA. and personally, I'd drive out to pick them up, I just don't trust anyone moving my bees anymore, especially the Postal Service, they are lacking in good attitudes.

Bee-Bop · October 05, 2009, 10:50:33 AM

Keep Beekeeping Local

Contact the local bee club;
Santa Clara Valley Beekeepers Guild

Some members in Santa Cruz

Bee-Bop

MustbeeNuts · October 05, 2009, 01:46:02 PM

I would drive out and pick them up, there are lots in your area, I drive 3 hours to get supplies and save shipping, If I didn't have a local bee supplier I would drive for that too. In fact I may make a shot down to georgia in the spring for more hives. Then agin I still need to get that honey house built. LOL

jpryce · October 06, 2009, 03:00:16 PM

Thanks guys,
I will try and find bees locally and drive to get them if I have to. I too don't trust the postal service(no offense if someone works there) to take good care of my girls.

I have my first Santa Cruz Beekeepers meeting tomorrow night. Those poor guys have no idea how many questions I have.

Thanks for your input.
Julie

Joelel · October 06, 2009, 03:58:34 PM

Quote from: jpryce on October 06, 2009, 03:00:16 PM
Thanks guys,
I will try and find bees locally and drive to get them if I have to. I too don't trust the postal service(no offense if someone works there) to take good care of my girls.

I have my first Santa Cruz Beekeepers meeting tomorrow night. Those poor guys have no idea how many questions I have.

Thanks for your input.
Julie

Here is a list,maybe one close to you.

http://www.dadant.com/documents/Packagebeelist2008.pdf

http://www.beesource.com/bees-supplies/united-states/

lenape13 · October 07, 2009, 01:50:44 PM

Mine came through the mail, without a hitch. They called when they arrived, but I had to be at work, so I went and picked them up the following morning at 5:00 AM. Of course, our post office has experience with handling packages of bees, and I'm sure that had something to do with the smooth delivery.

kedgel · October 07, 2009, 09:37:56 PM

I've ordered bees a couple of times, each time came off without a hitch. That being said, I'll never order bees again. I recently made a bee-vac and posted "GOT BEES?" on craigslist. I was INUNDATED with people wanting me to get feral hives from their property. To date I have gotten three hives and plan on getting another this weekend. This saved me a ton of $ and hassle and saved these valuable hives from extermination. I just checked on a hive I installed 2 weeks ago. It is THRIVING! They have really taken to their new home. When I cut out the hive, there was virtually no honey in the hive. The new hive is absolutely loaded. I can't wait to see what the one I installed last weekend looks like inside (I leave them undisturbed for the first week). The bees I bought this Spring had barely started to fill the hive after 2 weeks, much less stored any honey to speak of. The bee-vac cost me less than $75 to make with plans I printed from Beesource.com. It works like a charm. I cherry-picked the most accessible hives, but if I had the empty hives to house them, I could get at least that many more. If you're not the do-it-yerself type, W.T. Kelley sells a nice one. It will pay for itself with only a couple of uses. Anyone can BUY a box of bees...be a hero get them yourself! You'll save $, save bees from death and save people from stings. Everybody wins!

Kelly