Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: mgates61 on January 01, 2008, 10:50:31 pm

Title: A few more questions.....
Post by: mgates61 on January 01, 2008, 10:50:31 pm
First let me say thanks to all who responded to my first post.  I am going through all of the information as  I can. 

Now for the next questions.

1.)  I am leaning towards either the Australian or caucasion bees.  Is there any one that will be better for a beginner ??

1.)  What is the best place to order bees from and how soon should I order ?


Thanks again for all the info.  OK.....back to reading.
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: Michael Bush on January 01, 2008, 11:07:31 pm
>1.)  I am leaning towards either the Australian or caucasion bees.  Is there any one that will be better for a beginner ??

I personally wouldn't get any from Australia, but they aren't a race.  Caucasians are a race and I don't know where to find any.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesraces.htm

>1.)  What is the best place to order bees from

There are many good suppliers.  I can't say who is the best.  A local beekeeper would be good.  It's probably best to find a local club as they often get a truckload of bees in.

> and how soon should I order ?

Now.


Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: Brian D. Bray on January 01, 2008, 11:16:10 pm
The Caucasians are docile, to much so, IMO.  If I were recommending bees to a beginner these days I'd say start with Russian.  The problem with the Austrailian bees are that It's the only place on earth (other than a few isolated islands) that does not have varroa.  I think they'd have a tendency to be overwhelmed by varroa early on.  Russian have some resistance to varroa.  The Russians are calm, good workers, work later in the day, in colder weather, and seem to be a bit harder all around.  Their downside is that Russians have a tendency to be a bit swarmmy.

Causcasians used to be fairly popular back in the 60's but soon fell out of favor due to sluggish performance.  They are basically a black bee with grey stripes.  I believe NWCs have some Caucasian blood in them.  The only one who still has some that I know of is Olympic Wilderness Apiary in Port Angeles, Washington.  His bees are from feral stock found on an isolated part of the Olympic Pennisula and cross bred with Italian and Russian survivor stock also.  I do recommend his queens.  He doesn't sell packages or nuc--just queens.  They act and look more like Carnies or Russians than Caucasians.
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: mgates61 on January 01, 2008, 11:19:06 pm
OOPS.......Meant Italians not Aussies.
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: johnnybigfish on January 01, 2008, 11:28:08 pm
Heyukkk heyukkk heyukkk...!
Mgates, thats funny!(Fish grins and teeth fall out!)
 I wanna say Italians. I'm only saying this Because I kinda think Michael and Brian might say this(esp.after they went thru all the expanations of Australians instead of Italians),
Sorry about my sense of humor guys,,,The "Oops" just blew me away!!
your friend, (I hope)
john
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: Jerrymac on January 01, 2008, 11:34:53 pm
Forgive him folks, he lives too close to Oklahoma.  :-D
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: Hopeful on January 01, 2008, 11:43:13 pm
Uh, hmmmm.....

You know, Oklahoma is just the biggest county in Texas.  :-D
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: johnnybigfish on January 02, 2008, 10:38:44 pm
Oh boy,....My 2 best friends here(Jerry and Hopeful...hee hheee)
are starting to sound like my wife. She comes to my defense and I end up in bigger trouble. I like Oklahoma!!..Their speed limit is 75 which means a person can drive 80!
Ok, really now,....I bet Mgates would like an answer..What kind of bees?...Italian?....Russian?...............,,,,AUSTRALIAN??
  Dont worry Mgates, you're going to be my 3rd best friend!!(And THAT means ALOT!!!)...sort of!
 Oh well, Sorry, I do get "Clowny" sometimes. You'll get more serious answers soon...I still think Italians for all around.
your friend,
john
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: ronbert on January 03, 2008, 07:12:10 pm
Kevin Jester is located near Joneboro. He sells Russians

ron
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: pdmattox on January 03, 2008, 08:40:49 pm
hands down I would go with itailans. Austrailan or hawian. The bees will figure out what to do with the mites if not you can treat them with chems or natural.
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: LocustHoney on January 03, 2008, 08:47:47 pm
I have Italians and so far I love them. The only draw back is I have experienced intense robbing at times. Lost two hives to robbing. Both were probably...ok...my fault. Opened them up in a dearth and barely nicked the honey. Man were they tenacious!!! :evil:
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: steveouk on January 03, 2008, 09:41:08 pm
What's wrong with Oklahoma !!!
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: qa33010 on January 04, 2008, 07:28:28 pm
    Kevin Jester has Russian and Minnesota Hygienic Italians.  He is over in West Ridge and I think he is taking orders now.   Here's his web link 

http://www.jesterbee.com/Queenbeesales.html

or get with a local breeder, maybe in the local association.  Here's some info from the state website.

http://www.arbeekeepers.org/local.htm

Good luck!!

I'm not sure of the Australians and maybe Caucasians since I have Russians (from Kevin) and feral and also a hive of I beleive to be a Caucasion cross.  The last I've heard is they were caucasian, but have been crossed with locals and they have kept most of the brown color.  I have enjoyed all hives and hope to learn even more this year and hopefully get some and other breeds or better yet ferals that have been around awhile that are also excellent producers.
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: Jerrymac on January 04, 2008, 07:35:03 pm
What's wrong with Oklahoma !!!

Why do you ask this question  :?
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: steveouk on January 04, 2008, 09:03:33 pm
Because i just moved here form the UK ! Go Sooners Go !!
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: Jerrymac on January 04, 2008, 09:23:04 pm
Because i just moved here form the UK ! Go Sooners Go !!

(http://www.longdog.karoo.net/smilies/offtopic.gif)

OH. OK. I guess there is nothing wrong with Oklahoma. It was put there to keep Texas from picking on New Mexico. Arkansas isn't any fun to pick on cause they wouldn't understand. 
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: johnnybigfish on January 04, 2008, 09:48:17 pm
Hey Steveouk!
 Whre in Great Bitain are you from?
 I was born right near a place called Cirencecester? I only lived there till I was about 2 though..I have a screwy accent.
your friend,
john
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: steveouk on January 04, 2008, 09:54:32 pm
Lol Jerry

I lived in Manchester before arriving on these here shores.. Best thing i ever did ! Apart form getting interested in bee's
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: reinbeau on January 05, 2008, 03:27:03 pm
What's wrong with Oklahoma !!!

Why do you ask this question  :?
Read up the thread a bit and you'll see why  ;)
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: Jerrymac on January 05, 2008, 05:48:03 pm
What's wrong with Oklahoma !!!

Why do you ask this question  :?
Read up the thread a bit and you'll see why  ;)

Now you stepped in it. What are you talking about. (I ask after reading up)
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: steveouk on January 05, 2008, 05:54:49 pm
lost me, now back to bee's...
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: buzzbee on January 05, 2008, 08:21:53 pm
Forgive him folks, he lives too close to Oklahoma.  :-D
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: Understudy on January 05, 2008, 08:27:23 pm
Avoid the hype. Do not buy bees from Australia.

It's not that Australia is bad ot their bees are bad. They are use to what exists in the US.
.au has no Varroa or Small Hive Beetles. They are not use to the pests we have here and get overwhelmed very quickly.

What happens is apiaries buy them for the Almond fields and then sell them to others. They don't do well in the cold winters either. Try to stick with local stock.

Sincerely,
Brendhan
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: Jerrymac on January 05, 2008, 10:03:08 pm
Forgive him folks, he lives too close to Oklahoma.  :-D

That is what I was waiting for. So how does this imply there is something wrong with Oklahoma? Could just be that part of Texas........ Think about it.
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: johnnybigfish on January 06, 2008, 08:31:24 pm
I think what Jerrys' trying to say is...What he means is..(I'm trying to help you Jerry)...he heee....Is that the people from Rifle Range Rd.(10 miles from the Red River)  are a  peculiar sort..Yeh,...All 5 of us!!..Its what that country life has done to us!..With a rifle range, helicopter pads from the cold war, and one of the biggest natural gas lines under our feet waiting to blow any time, we've developed a strange sense of humor! We laff harder than most because if we didnt we'd have to move back to the city!
 Hey Jer,...I luvya man!!
your friend,
john
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: steveouk on January 06, 2008, 08:35:01 pm
lol
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: Jerrymac on January 06, 2008, 09:24:28 pm
I really should stop hi-jacking topics.

Who here has been to Wichita Falls? It is one of the worst laid out cities in Texas..... Possibly the nation..... There is even an unfinished freeway to the South of town. It has been that way for over twenty years I believe.

I think it is something in the water. Water that comes from Oklahoma  :-D
Title: Re: A few more questions.....
Post by: johnnybigfish on January 06, 2008, 11:02:04 pm
Yeah Jerr!!!
 Yeh theres a new hiway what just got finished! 2 weeks later they started tearing out the northbound lanes as the concrete job was below standard! Theres also parts of the hiway coming in from the south that appear to go up in the sky!!...ReALLY SCARY!!
 You're not making this up about this place being so screwed up to drive in! bin here almost 40 years and I still have to ask "What way Janelle?" or "Turn here Janelle?" or "What'd they shut this road down for??"
 I cant stand even going to Walmart! Too many decisions on which way to go to get there!!

your friend,
john