Queen Rearing in ND

[Sundance]

I have been told that it is really difficult to raise queens here due to frequent high wind........

Any pointers or observations from fellow windy state queen rearers??

[Michael Bush]

It's pretty windy here.

[Sundance]

How is your success rate Michael??

[tecumseh]

humm.... I don't know about this hypothesis sundance. anywhere near the great plains area is fairly to extremely windy. in my experience this does not keep the bees from flying, although drift (by the workers) could be a problem.

[Sundance]

I was told that the mating flight is the issue and the height the queen flies.

[Sundance]

I'm going to give rearing a shot regardless. I am taking the queen rearing class that the U of Minn is putting on this July.

I am just trying to figure of where to place the yard and how much wind protection is needed. Would I need some tall trees (like 50' or more) for some upper wind break?

Thanks

[Velbert]

Sundance From what i have read is that the drones usally find a well protected place for the drone congerating area where the maiting takes place what I would do is make sure your queen mating yard is in a protected place to keep drifting of the queens going back into their boxes.

[Michael Bush]

>How is your success rate Michael??

Sometimes as high as 95% and sometimes as low as 25% but it seems to have more to do with how early in the season I do it, than the wind. Too early and sucess isn't so good.

[Jeffrey Todd]

Sundance,
Historically, how good of a feral bee population has ND had? If it has sustained itself, I would guess that the windy conditions are not much of a problem, or at least one that the bees have found a way to overcome.

[D. Murrell]

Hi Guys,

I've raised them in Casper Wyoming. And it's really windy here. Wind doesn't seem to be much of a problem.

Regards
Dennis