Catapult Snapped...

[Jim Strawn]

Ugh. Double ugh.

I checked my bees today and there was no activity. Nice day like this they should be out werkin!

I opened the box. You know, that nice, spacious condo I built for them? Custom made!!! Who wouldn't want a custom home!?

Obviously not them. *sniff!* They've probably picked some nice looking hollow tree somewhere. *dbl-sniff!* How can I compete with nature!!??

I already named my queen, too. Her name was *sob* Matilda!!! (Goodbye, fair Matilda! May you live ten years and never be superseded!)

Now what, middle of May as it is?

[Jim Strawn]

I think I already know the answer to this, but is it too late to order a new queen? And who would I order it from?

[ScadsOBees]

Those dirty rotten no-good ingrates.

Depending on who you know and how much $ you have:

1. buy a nuc or a package if you can find one (you'll need that $50/wk :( )

2. Buy a hive or some brood from a fellow beek and call it a split. Buy a queen or let them make one.

3. Pray for another swarm to happen by

4. Wait for next year to try again.

I'd suggest #2 if you can, good balance between $ and uncertainty.

[ScadsOBees]

You may be able to get a queen, but make sure you have bees to take care of her.

Check the for sale section. Otherwise check with your real-life beek acquaintances.

[Neubee]

There is a very nice beekeeper near me who sells some nucs. I'm not sure about prices but I know they are very competitive. He lives about an hour from Sweet Home in Jefferson and his name is Richard Farrier. Here is his number: 541-327-2673

Also, here is a website if you want to find a bee club near you: http://www.orsba.org/htdocs/index.html and http://orsba.proboards27.com/index.cgi


Neubee

[ May 08, 2006, 04:31 PM: Message edited by: Neubee ]

[PA Pete]

I would also bait the old box with lemongrass extract and put it up in a tree to improve your chances of catching the next swarm that happens by - where there's one, there's more!

[Jim Strawn]

Great news! I called the fellow that Neubee recommended and he might be able to get me a nuc in a couple weeks. No promises, but it's some hope!

Thanks heaps, Neubee! And I might try the lemongrass extract idea, too... just to see. :D

[Neubee]

Glad to help. Rich is a great guy, I can't say enough good things about him. He got me started in beekeeping.

Neubee

[MichelleB]

Hey, you can always post on Craigslist under Services that you'll collect swarms. 'Tis the season, and I've had several calls in the past week alone--though most have been structural colonies rather than swarms, and I'm not quite up for that.

There are a couple hives in the Portland and Scappoose area that need to be extracted, I know that much for certain.

And yes--try the lemongrass oil!

[Jim Strawn]

Great idea! Duly posted: http://portland.craigslist.org/sks/158857772.html