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Author Topic: How late is too late to start a new hive  (Read 5669 times)

Offline yrots

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How late is too late to start a new hive
« on: June 15, 2011, 12:29:36 am »
I have built built my wooden ware and would be ready for the bees but I am concerned that it would be too late to get bees assuming I can find anyone offering them. I have heard that for Florida (I'm in Orlando) starting now shouldn't be a problem. I guess I'm looking for advice on whether to try to locate a couple of nucs and get started.

Dirk
Dirk

Offline Kathyp

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Re: How late is too late to start a new hive
« Reply #1 on: June 15, 2011, 12:33:11 am »
bees were late this year for lots of people.  reinbeau just hived packages. could do a nuc, or see if you can pick up a swarm.  not to late i don't think.
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Offline joebrown

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Re: How late is too late to start a new hive
« Reply #2 on: June 15, 2011, 12:42:35 am »
Should not be a problem. Hardwood and some of the other Floridians may be able to give you more information on honey flows. The winters are not as rough as the northern states, so I would think a later start would not be as critical. Nevertheless, I would try to get started ASAP!

Offline L Daxon

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Re: How late is too late to start a new hive
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2011, 01:03:12 am »
I would think you still have plenty of time.  Maybe you could take a swarm off someones hands if you can't find any packages or nucs.
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Offline mikecva

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Re: How late is too late to start a new hive
« Reply #4 on: June 15, 2011, 07:54:49 am »
Where you are there should be no problems with starting out now. Given a choice though, I would go with a nuc from a reliable source to make sure you do not get any Africanized bees.
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Offline bulldog

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Re: How late is too late to start a new hive
« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2011, 11:21:41 am »
i started a hive from a nuc last july, granted i had to feed them some. but i am well north of you with much more severe winters and they made it ok.
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Offline T Beek

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Re: How late is too late to start a new hive
« Reply #6 on: June 15, 2011, 11:32:40 am »
Agreed; I caught a late swarm a few years ago in late July, early August.  Had to feed but they made it through a North Wisconsin Winter and at least another one.

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Offline VolunteerK9

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Re: How late is too late to start a new hive
« Reply #7 on: June 15, 2011, 12:14:41 pm »
People in northern states can winter 5 frame nucs with a fair amount of success. I would think that in Florida you should not have a problem getting one started.

Offline fish_stix

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Re: How late is too late to start a new hive
« Reply #8 on: June 15, 2011, 02:13:52 pm »
yrots; call Kevin Jester over in Oak Hill east of you. Usually always has nucs available at reasonable prices. In fact, I think he's selling them now at his summer prices which is a good bit less than the early spring prices. Phone 870-531-2373 or 870-243-1596. Email is order@jesterbee.com. Don't worry about the time of year. We work them 12 months a year and if they do shut down brood laying it's only for short periods of cold weather in Nov-Dec. They start spring buildup in late Dec early Jan.

Offline SwvaBeeman

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When is to late to make establish a beehive
« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2016, 06:25:54 pm »
I am wondering if anyone has any idea on when it is to late to start a new beehive?

Offline Barhopper

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Re: How late is too late to start a new hive
« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2016, 06:40:37 pm »
Good to go for a good bit yet. We make Nucs until Septemberish if needed.

Offline Jim134

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Re: When is to late to make establish a beehive
« Reply #11 on: July 08, 2016, 11:41:26 pm »
I am wondering if anyone has any idea on when it is to late to start a new beehive?

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« Last Edit: July 09, 2016, 04:43:58 am by Jim 134 »
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Online cao

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Re: How late is too late to start a new hive
« Reply #12 on: July 09, 2016, 01:16:08 am »
Welcome SwvaBeeman.  :happy:  How late depends on where you are.  In my area it's gatting late to start a hive and have it reach full size before winter.  Although I may make a split or two this weekend. 

Offline iddee

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Re: How late is too late to start a new hive
« Reply #13 on: July 09, 2016, 09:53:13 am »
Looks to me like he is in southwest Virginia. Pretty risky starting one this late in the mountains like that, but can be done.
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Offline Jim134

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Re: How late is too late to start a new hive
« Reply #14 on: July 10, 2016, 09:01:50 am »
At it seems like the final location maybe Orlando Florida.

               BEE HAPPY Jim 134   :smile:
"Tell me and I'll forget,show me and I may  remember,involve me and I'll understand"
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"The farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything at retail, sells everything at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways."
 John F. Kennedy
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Offline yes2matt

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Re: How late is too late to start a new hive
« Reply #15 on: July 10, 2016, 04:26:19 pm »
Looks to me like he is in southwest Virginia. Pretty risky starting one this late in the mountains like that, but can be done.
I was thinkin southern West Virginia. :)