Questions on package bees

[SEEYA]

How far, is too far to ship package bees.  :? I'm in Michigan and the two places that have package bees (that I want)(that I think I want) are in Utah and California. So Far it looks like everybody else is selling Georgia bees! I am NOT trying to start a war :evil:, I keep reading " get NORTHERN ACCLIMATIZED bees".   How tricky is it to buy a Queen-less package and a Queen from some one else and have them arrive in the proper time-frame?  Does $50.00 sound about right for shipping?

[buzzbee]

I have purchased packages for 85 dollars. If possible,get a package from someone local (Bee club or supplier)and requeen later in the summer.The queen will ultimately decide the genetics of your package.  Whatever bees come in the package will be gone in a couple months.As far as having a package delivered from afar I think it is unnecessary.
You can ship a queen faster and cheaper than a package.

[rober]

find some local beekeeping associations & find someone local who is selling nucs.
nucs are not that much more price-wise & your hive will have a 10-12 week advantage over a new package.

[Jim134]

The timeing is off you need to requeen later in the summer.On about 4 July or so. Just my $0.02



   BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

[Jim134]

Michigan

OAKLAND BEE CLUB
Sue Yates
705 Coolidge
Birmingham, MI 48009
Phone: 248-649-5078
Email: [email protected]

SCHOOLCRAFT BKPRS ASSOC
Roger southerland
5488 Warren Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: 734-668-8568
Email: [email protected]

SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN BEE ASSOC
Roger southerland
5488 Warren Rd
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: 734-668-8568
Email: [email protected]


   BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

[AllenF]

Buy Georgia packages, get them early, then requeen with northern queens in late summer.

[VolunteerK9]

Yeah or even buy an established hive locally then requeen it later with the queen of your choosing. You should be able to find one around the $150 range at about the same price as a package + new queen + shipping on both.

[L Daxon]

In answer to your original question, "How far is too far to ship package bees?"...

I am in Oklahoma.  Two springs ago I decided too late in the spring (early April) to be able to get anything local. Everyone was already sold out.   I hooked up with a Colorado keeper who every year drives to Calif. in early May and picks up about 500 packages on his truck, then takes the long way home and drops them off to clients along the way, even up in Wyoming.  What he has left when he gets back to Colorado he ships out to clients like me.  I think I got my bees about May 15th and they have done great.

All that being said, if you order this early in the year for next spring you should be able to get something local, which would be the best option, as advised by others above.

[Jim134]

At is more of a time thing.  Australia yous to send package bees to California.



  BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)