Italians vs. Russian

[mikecva]

I have been keeping Italians and Russian bees for more years then I will admit to. I have kept the two yards apart from each other by about 3/4 of a mile. I was thinking (a dangerous thing for me at my age): what if I kept them in the same yard (making it easier on me).
Then one random thought led to another. Can I not only keep them in the same yard but what if, when I need to booster a week colony, can I put Italian bees in with a colony a Russian queen (and Russian bees in with an Italian queen?)
Anyone know if these combinations are possible or should my future replacement bees be one or the other but not both?  -Mike 

[BeeMaster2]

Mike,
Since they are 3/4 of a mile apart, they are interbreeding. The queens travel that far to mate. If they are in the same yard they would bee less likely to cross mate. From what I have read, I doubt you will notice much of a difference when you combine the yards. You might want to mark each hive as to what they are and see if you see much of a difference. I think the Russians are a little aggressive towards adding an Italian queen to their and you will probably have to keep her protected a little longer to keep her from being killed. I often add a queen directly into an Italian hive but I would not add an Italian queen directly into a Russian hive.
Jim

[Dallasbeek]

He seems to be asking about a frame of bees, not queens.  I think the Russian bees will accept Italian brood and nurse bees and vice versa, paticularly since, as Jim points out, you probably have crossbred queens anyway, if your hives have made their own queens rather than recently bought pure Russian and Italian queens.

[mikecva]

Yes, bees into queens not the new queens into older colonies.
I have never had problems with new packages of Russian or Italian bees being aggressive. All of my bees in both yards are not aggressive, I would like to believe it is my great beekeeping skills (but even I would not totally believe that.) I only go in when I have a purpose to do so, I go in, do what needs to be done and get out using as little smoke as possible sometimes no smoke at all.
Does this help?  -Mike 

[BeeMaster2]

Mike,
A little smoke helps, too much help causes problems. I have worked hives with no smoke but only small very calm hives. Be sure to always have it available in case you need it.
Jim

[chux]

Mike,
A little smoke helps, too much help causes problems. I have worked hives with no smoke but only small very calm hives. Be sure to always have it available in case you need it.
Jim

Reminds me of a summer day a couple of years ago. I had a typically calm hive that I wanted to poke my head in to see how they were doing. I throw on my bee-suit top and head out to the hive. "I'm just going to take the cover off and look at a couple of frames in the top box to see if they have much honey in there. No need for a smoker with these girls." Ha. I could hardly see the frame in my hand for all the bees bumping my veil. I closed her up and headed to the other side of the yard, followed by a mass of angry girls. Yep. Keep the smoker handy, just in case. Even if you don't think you need it. 

[KPF]

Mike,
A little smoke helps, too much help causes problems. I have worked hives with no smoke but only small very calm hives. Be sure to always have it available in case you need it.
Jim

Reminds me of a summer day a couple of years ago. I had a typically calm hive that I wanted to poke my head in to see how they were doing. I throw on my bee-suit top and head out to the hive. "I'm just going to take the cover off and look at a couple of frames in the top box to see if they have much honey in there. No need for a smoker with these girls." Ha. I could hardly see the frame in my hand for all the bees bumping my veil. I closed her up and headed to the other side of the yard, followed by a mass of angry girls. Yep. Keep the smoker handy, just in case. Even if you don't think you need it.

I had the same experience with a dwindling hive that eventually absconded. Docile colony all year. Late fall, I pop the cover and bam bam bam. I was being head butted by about 9 bees. In August, they didn't even know I was there. I think they were angry at the world.

[BeeMaster2]

Mike,
A little smoke helps, too much help causes problems. I have worked hives with no smoke but only small very calm hives. Be sure to always have it available in case you need it.
Jim

Reminds me of a summer day a couple of years ago. I had a typically calm hive that I wanted to poke my head in to see how they were doing. I throw on my bee-suit top and head out to the hive. "I'm just going to take the cover off and look at a couple of frames in the top box to see if they have much honey in there. No need for a smoker with these girls." Ha. I could hardly see the frame in my hand for all the bees bumping my veil. I closed her up and headed to the other side of the yard, followed by a mass of angry girls. Yep. Keep the smoker handy, just in case. Even if you don't think you need it.

I had the same experience with a dwindling hive that eventually absconded. Docile colony all year. Late fall, I pop the cover and bam bam bam. I was being head butted by about 9 bees. In August, they didn't even know I was there. I think they were angry at the world.

That is why you always have to have a smoker ready.
During the summer, I rarely suite up but during the winter when I have to go into a hive on a slightly warm day, because I detect a problem, I will put on a suite until I can determine their disposition. I do the same thing when I go into someone else' hives. When I check out a hive that is to be cut out, I will at first get near it, then closer and closer. If I do not get stung, I will then pet a few bees at the entrance before I begin the job, just to verify their temperament. Some hives will not let you within 10' and others will let you pet them.
Jim

[Richard M]

Suit on - check

Zipped up - check

Smoker fired up - check.