Just found out what my packages will cost for 2009

[oldenglish]

Glad I only need two.

The base price of a 3 pound package will be $90.00.  The base price of a 4 pound package will be $105.00.  If you want a marked queen it will cost an additional $2.50.  Shipping cage deposits will continue at $5.00.  When you add all of that together with state sales tax it comes to $102.65 for a three pound package with unmarked queen, $105.36 for a three pound package with a marked queen.  If you don't specify we will assume you want unmarked queens.  A four pound package with tax and shipping cage deposit will come to $118.93 with an unmarked queen and $121.64 with a marked queen

[Kathyp]

wow....put yourself on the swarm catcher list!!!!

[KONASDAD]

why bother? Nucs and a complete deep cost about $100 to $140 respectively from local sources. Look to your local club, or maybe brian Bray wants to sell a nuc or two. Local genetics, local provider, sounds better all around..

[Brian D. Bray]

OldEnglish:

Find yourself a local beekeeper and beg and nag him to death until he agrees to sell you a couple of nucs or splits.  I only have 2 hives at the moment and have a local friend from my pigeon racing club that I will be buying a couple of splits from in the spring.  That and splitting my 2 hives into a 3rd will bring me up to 5 for next year.  Along with any swarm calls.
If all goes right I should be able to sell some nucs or splits in 2010.  I plan on making 4-6 nucs in the fall of 2009, overwintering them, and selling them in the spring of 2010.  After that I should have 1/2 dozen nucs every spring. All natural, foundationless, medium boxes.

[Shawn]

Where did you get your prices?

[oldenglish]

The prices were for the local bee supply store here in Snohomish WA.
I have put a wanted ad on craigslist to see if any local beeks are selling nucs, I will also ask at the club but dont expect any luck there.

[KONASDAD]

after almonds in California, loads of hives are available and should make their way to your state. Your club wont have any bees now, but thay always become available when  your season gets under way locally has been my experience. its just not guaranteed, but usually does.

[BjornBee]

Oldenglish,
Give Chef Isaac a call. Not sure how close you are to him, but he may be able to help out with a couple nucs. Tell him I sent you.

http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M25383

[oldenglish]

Thanks Bjorn, I sent him an email to see what he can do. Hopefully they will be available earlier than the June date on his web site.

update- as I was writing this Isaac was replying to my craigslist ad.

[mlewis48]

 Someone is proud of their packages!!!! That is alot of money to roll the dice on.

[Sean Kelly]

Trees n' Bees in Auburn, WA is sellin theirs for $80 plus a $5 cage deposit (I keep forgetting to turn mine in).  I keep going back cause they are so close to my house.

That "Sweet As Can Bee Honey Farm" has pretty good prices for Nucs:  5 frame for $90 (you provide the nuc they provide the frames and bees).  I think I might go with these guys this year!  Thanks for the info BjornBee!!!
I also found their direct website at http://sweetascanbeehoneyfarm.com.

Sean Kelly

[poka-bee]

Hi Sean!!  Do I see a fieldtrip next spring???  :-D :-D I want to do splits but would like to use bred queens to get my #'s up quickly for the ones going to Take Root Farm. A nuc would be nice but don't know about transferring em to med frames & boxes may be a bit tricky.. :? So is Gracie starting to vibrate with excitement about Christmas????  J

[oldenglish]

Good news is I am getting several offers,
Chef Isaac will have Nucs around June (if I can stand to wait that long) he is also talking about setting up a class or two.
My craigslist ad is getting results also, one person in bremerton may have a couple nucs (depending on winter losses) and he is a chemical free operation also got an offer from island apiaries on whidbey island.

By the way Bjorn, chef Isaac says Hi and he misses you. !!

[Brian D. Bray]

I believe Cedar Glen Bees in Standwood (Actually Kayak Point aka Warm Beach) is selling them in the 80 dollar range with 5 dollar deposit.  You might check there.  It would be closer for you than Beez Nees in Snohomish and you can pick from just about any strain, OWC, NWC, Russian, Italian, Cordovan, MH and Buckfast.  They might even be able to get you Caucasians, Starlites, or Midnights.

They usually get their shipments in mid-April to mid-May.  They don't call so you have to watch their website for notification.  If you've placed an order it is 1st come, 1st served for each shipment...you can also buy extra at the time of pickup.

[oldenglish]

Thanks Brian, I will check them out. Beez Neez is really close to home only about 10 minutes but he is getting his packages from california I dont want commercial hand me downs and I would like bees that have spent some time up here already.

On a different note, I always get offers when a) I dont need them or b) I cannot afford them.
I just had a co worker tell me his father has 25 brand new assembled and painted hive bodies with new assembled frames, he was offering them to me for $50 each. I just had a $1500 vet bill and kids are still expecting a visit from santa so I had to decline the offer :'(

[Sean Kelly]

Hi Sean!!  Do I see a fieldtrip next spring???  :-D :-D I want to do splits but would like to use bred queens to get my #'s up quickly for the ones going to Take Root Farm. A nuc would be nice but don't know about transferring em to med frames & boxes may be a bit tricky.. :? So is Gracie starting to vibrate with excitement about Christmas????  J

Jody, I think so!!!  I sent Chef Issac a email but haven't heard back yet.  I'm gunna split two of my hives but that wont be enough.  I REALLY want to expand my apiary this coming year.  After loosing 3 hives last year I wanna make sure I have enough to get me through.  I forgot you were using medium frames.  That's a good question to ask Issac.
How did you get the folks at Take Root Farm to let you put bees up there?  I've been asking them for years and they ignore my calls and emails!  BTW, we keep missing the Pierce County Beekeeper's meetings!  We need to start calling each other when they get close!  I just keep forgetting until it's too late!  lol

Sean Kelly

[poka-bee]

Guess I'mmmm just special!!!!  Jen was my neighbor here in the "hollow" & I'm a member of the CSA.  They also buy all the eggs I bring in each week & it pays for the feed + food for Rose.  I need more chix though...The people there all want honey....and they want it yesterday!!  Hey, have you seen that flock of white turkeys across the street from Jens?  They were all on the roof of the house the other day!! Should carry a camera all the time, they are really pretty, Cindi would love em.  I do the same thing, I will think about the meeting then it's Tue! New year..better short term memories???  :? J

[1reb]

I am getting mine nuc for 75 each

Johnny

[Sean Kelly]

Jody, I did see those turkeys up there.  Yesterday they were all perched on their fence in a long line.  Was hilarious!  How many hives are you planning on putting up there?  That's less than a 1/3 mile from my house as the crow flies.  I just hope they wont be competing against my bees for nectar.

I haven't heard back from Chef Issac about his Nucs yet.  This is definitely the way I want to go this coming year.  No more packaged bees for me thank you!  I want Nucs!!!  :-)  I'm saving for 3 nucs now and plan on splitting my 3 hives if they survive the winter.  And I'm doing a cutout in the spring at my church.  A woodpecker put a hole in the steeple and honeybees made a home in there a couple years ago.  We're gunna call the honey from that hive, "Holy Honey!" and sell it as a church fundraiser.  I think I should be able to manage 10 hives!!! 

Jody, we need to mark our calendars and foreheads with the date of the next meeting and actually go!  lol

1reb, $75 for a nuc sounds nice.  Too bad we don't live in Arkansas.  Would save me lots of money.

Sean Kelly

[oldenglish]

Sean, the email I got from Chef Isaac said they would not know 2009 prices until they see what their winter losses are.

[purvisgs]

I have not had good luck with ceder glen bees, maybe just me but can't recommend them...

trees n bees or (possibly) bellevile honey in mt vernon have packages

any package you get (west coast) is cali bees, just hope for a well mated queen and if you are lucky you might be able to get something other than italians

[Irwin]

I got a nuc to start with and deep and one medium for my brood area used hat and veil and hive tool and gloves and smoker for $100.00 the guy likes to get people started he is a commercial beek with over 3.000 hive's. He is very busy so he is not around much for mentoring but he stop's by when he can.

[poka-bee]

Sean, I'm only going to put a couple of hives there as it's away from the house.  I don't have the time to fiddle with too many off my property.  I do want to make it educational for the members, maybe give short talks/tours to a few at a time mostly w/kids to get the idea that everything is connected, soil, light, bugs, plants & food we eat.  Jen does a good job with the soil, light & plants, the bees will be one piece of the puzzle as well as butterflies & other common pollinators. I would like them to think about what they do, how little actions can add up in big ways, both for good & for bad.  Next meeting is the 1st Mon in Jan...(I think.. :-\) I'm gonna keep my camera in the car to take pix of those turkeys!!  J

[winenutguy]

Hi Everyone;
Would you mind if I get in on this to and call a few of the mentined sites?  I'm going to need two packages for my first hives this spring and have been wondering where to go.  I'll ask my club this Wed. but if that doesn't work out I'd like to jump on the mentioned sites as well.  Best to all and thank you!  Winenutguy (in Bellingham).

[BjornBee]

Is it me, or is there a bunch of beeks from Washington?   Seems like they come out of the woodwork :-D

[poka-bee]

BjornBee, Here in the PNW it's not wood, it's moss! :-D ;)  J

[HAB]

Boy did I get lucky today.  Found an ad in paper where family was getting out of Beeking due to illness.  The owner had a heart attack.  Picked up three heavy hives of Italian Bees.  The Queens, Bees, hives, supers, tops, SBBs, West Beetle Traps all look great!! Probably less than a year old.  Did I mention the supers were full of Honey?  $100.00 each!!

[oldenglish]

Hi Everyone;
Would you mind if I get in on this to and call a few of the mentined sites?  I'm going to need two packages for my first hives this spring and have been wondering where to go.  I'll ask my club this Wed. but if that doesn't work out I'd like to jump on the mentioned sites as well.  Best to all and thank you!  Winenutguy (in Bellingham).

I sent you a PM with some info

[DayValleyDahlias]

Gee Whiz,

My 2 packages were really pricey.  Out of the 2, one is light.  I sure hope it Winters out ok...There were over $200 for the 2, not to mention the diesel gas in our truck and 2 1.2 hour trip up and back to Vacaville.  If i decide to but another package from Taber's I will try to buy them as a member of the San Fran Beek's Assoc.  I think someone drive and picks them up, then perhaps I would only need to drive to Sf to pick them up...that is about 1 1/4 hour way.

I am halfway tempted to see if I can catch some swarms in 2009~

We shall see...hhhhhhhhhhmmmmmm

Hugs

[blckoakbees]

Hi,

I bought some from Taber's and you are right they are pricey.  However, the Russian is the best hive I have.  I also caught two swarms and made one split.  Next year I will do some splits and just get some queens.  I saw nucs 5 frame advertised on craigslist and the gentleman was taking orders for April at $80 a piece the stock sounded good and I do not have details here. 

I have Italians, Russians and who knows (swarms).  I am sort of waiting to see which type produce the most honey.  So far the Russians are winning.  I am curious as to other beekeepers experience as to types of bees and would love recommendations.

[DayValleyDahlias]

I agree that the Taber bees are really doing well...they are Russian Carni or Yugo Russian carni thingie dingy...I am tempted to but at least one package from him again...but I don't want the drive...

I really trust Tabers...hhhhmmm tough call...hhhhmmmm

Where is Fiddletown?

[MustbeeNuts]

I checked in my area, packages at one place is 85.00 for 3lbers, seems high with the gas going down and all. Nucs 125.00 they bring them up from Fla. Bet its a lot slower business this year for packages.

[dhood]

Wow, $85... I'm glad I live in the south. Our #3lb packages with mated queen will be $63-68 in April 09.

[BjornBee]

Bet its a lot slower business this year for packages.

Only till the first time beekeepers get to see their hives after January. I have spoken to many beekeepers on the east coast and one thing is constant.....light hives going into winter. Seems a poor fall flow for no particular reason, and a longer colder winter forecasted, and I bet losses will quickly mount up to high numbers come spring.

[1of6]

Bet its a lot slower business this year for packages.

Only till the first time beekeepers get to see their hives after January. I have spoken to many beekeepers on the east coast and one thing is constant.....light hives going into winter. Seems a poor fall flow for no particular reason, and a longer colder winter forecasted, and I bet losses will quickly mount up to high numbers come spring.

Poor fall flow in some areas and just odd in others, and an odd year all around.  Many days where the bees couldn't do anything, many days where if they could bring anything in then they couldn't dry it well.  I had more honey left uncapped this year than I'm comfortable admitting, I must say that too.  My smaller colonies made more honey than my bigger colonies this year.   :'(  Seemed like a high-overhead year for the boomer colonies.

Bjorn, you are right on the mark with the east coast hives light comment.

[KONASDAD]

hives very lite this year. Just enough rain for flowers but no nevtar is my opinion. I fed a huge amount and still light. I will be putiing fondant on maybe the next warm day just as insurance.

[1of6]

KONASDAD - I put sugar on a few weeks ago on three colonies.  I don't know when I'll be able to report if any of them are up into the sugar.  I'm pretty confident in the rest of my colonies, but I'll still be lifting all the boxes periodically and removing the outer cover to try to see if any clusters are at the top.  Let us know how quickly the fondant gets used.  I think you'll hear about a lot of people emergency feeding this year.  I know there's some folks around here whose outlooks on their hive weights changed drastically between November and now, and for the worst.  Some of it is just worry, but for some folks I think that worry is justified unfortunately.

I'll be curious how many folks have to emergency feed this year too.