Whens the best time to get bees?

[colbees]

Should i get italian bees in late april or early may i want to make sure that the bees get an early start thanks

[Vance G]

I would think April in New York would be a good time.   I would try to find a supplier on this forum who has bees for sale and it is time to lock in your supply and get them ordered NOW.  Warning!  Delivery dates from bee suppliers are notoriously flexible!  Commercial Beekeepers are at the mercy of wind and weather and seasonal temperature variation.  They cannot provide what nature may not have yet allowed them to produce.  Besides that, they are a sadistic lot who love to keep new beekeepers twisting in the wind for months as they breathlessly await their first bees!  That last sentence was a joke!  But just barely, it will seem that way when your delivery is a week late or more.   Check the consumer report section on the forum or ask on line about supplier reliability.  Chances are if no one has heard of them, you might want to be careful.  Chances are the reputable folks will recieve good reviews.  Get cracking on finding bees, your late.

[mikecva]

If you are new to beekeeping, you might want to join a local beekeeping club. They might have overordered and can sell you a package from a supplier they know and trust. The club can also answer questions for you and give you local advice. -Mike

[iddee]

If he doesn't reply to this thread, send a PM to sqkcrk. He is in upstate NY and will know who has bees. He may even have some himself.

[winginit]

Check the consumer report section on the forum or ask on line about supplier reliability. 

Where is the consumer report forum? I'm late, too.

[sweet bee]

I ordered two packages in early November but won't get them until mid May....seems a little late in the season to me :?