What kind of bees do you keep?

buzzbee · February 08, 2015, 02:21:23 PM

Just a little conversation piece for the up and coming beekeepers. I thought about this when I was looking at Mann Lakes web page and saw they offered Italians or carnolian packages.
I have kept primarily mutts and Italians with a small venture into the Russian bee. I can say that the Russians had an attitude at times I didn't care for. Whether it was that particular queen or what I don't know as I didn't opt for a second one.

jayj200 · February 08, 2015, 02:46:28 PM

Little bees

GLOCK · February 08, 2015, 05:12:52 PM

American mutts i make all my bee's .

divemaster1963 · February 08, 2015, 06:27:30 PM

This time of year. Hungry bees and allot of ladies that are ready to get out of the house.

John

rwlaw · February 08, 2015, 07:59:56 PM

Michigan Mutts.
Tried a Italian nuc, they were a mite factory. Tried a carniolan queen and I could have sold propolis by the pound at the end of the season.

schawee · February 08, 2015, 08:32:36 PM

Cajun mutts I raise my own

CapnChkn · February 08, 2015, 09:35:36 PM

Whatever joins the tribe. I'm seeking out of the way places to catch long term ferals. Can't say I'm successful, at getting a landrace.

biggraham610 · February 08, 2015, 10:15:16 PM

Started with Italians, added VSH, since have open bred multiple times, so, I got Mutts, some nice some not so much so, but all workable. Was thinking of trying a russian or carni queen just to add something different. Might do it. See how I come out of winter. G

Apis629 · February 08, 2015, 10:22:15 PM

I always find myself trending back to mutts. I've had cordovan, Italian, Carniolan and Russian in my apiary at any one time, but they're all mutts now. As long as they don't have africanized traits, I'm generally pretty agreeable to maintaining stocks of whatever is available.

divemaster1963 · February 08, 2015, 10:51:28 PM

Quote from: schawee on February 08, 2015, 08:32:36 PM
Cajun mutts I raise my own

Not the kind that turn red with heat tho?

John

JackM · February 12, 2015, 09:34:00 AM

Busy bees of course

Well I started with Italians. They did not do well in our high humidity winters. All mutts now, the only way to go. I firmly believe they genetically adapt to their micro environment. My mutts will bring in pollen when temps are in low 40's if it isn't raining, the Italians wouldn't leave the hive until 50ish

jayj200 · February 12, 2015, 09:39:56 AM

It seams AHB's

10framer · February 14, 2015, 09:39:10 AM

mutts, i cull hot queens and poor producers and that's about it. i started with italians but i guess this is the start of my 4th year back in and pretty much all my hives have a mix of what look like italian, carni, and cordovan workers. i have a big feral population around and a couple of backyard beekeepers within a few miles of me.

Barry · February 14, 2015, 01:23:36 PM

Russian Hybrids....whatever that means lol

hjon71 · February 14, 2015, 06:22:52 PM

Mine are bound to be mutts. I only know they were started from Italians many years ago.

GSF · February 16, 2015, 06:36:50 AM

"What kind of bees do you keep?"

What ever stays in the box..,lol

JanO · February 18, 2015, 01:33:18 PM

All of mine are Washington Mutts. I don't buy bees, I save them from being destroyed by spray can happy property owners.

sc-bee · February 19, 2015, 11:35:38 PM

The kind that hurt when they sting..... especially in a soft spot

awajikiwi · February 21, 2015, 12:06:03 PM

japanese honey bee

Maggiesdad · February 21, 2015, 12:45:46 PM

Quote from: awajikiwi on February 21, 2015, 12:06:03 PM
japanese honey bee

Grettings awajikiwi!

Welcome to Beemaster, and come introduce yourself in the New Member Section! http://www.beemaster.com/forum/index.php?board=29.0