Looking for equipment!

[mysticbees]

I'm hoping to find some good used things, (that aren't terribly expensive), to get bees living here again! Here's what we need:
a smoker, 2 hats and veils, 2 pr. gloves, (1 medium, 1 large).
If anyone has some premade plans for the bottom boards I need to replace, or the queen seperator, I could sure use the guidance! Feel free to email me! Thanks!

[dcross]

There are several smokers, gloves and veils on Ebay right now. Search "beekeeping" and "bee keeping".

[Brandon Shaw]

Not sure where Mystic IA is, but there is a beekeepers auction in central Ia in the spring. I attended last year for the first time and they had just about everything except the bees. I want to say it's in March, but would have to check.

[mysticbees]

Thanks!
If you find out where/when the meeting is would you mind posting it? Would it be in The Buzz? I haven't begun recieving them, (I haven't sent my membership stuff out yet!), but I'll be doing that Friday.
Meantime, I'll check eBay again!
Mystic is southwest of Ottumwa, Centerville area, by the way.
Thanks again!

[Brandon Shaw]

Yes, it will be in the Buzz. Do you have your bees, or decided where to buy from? I'm still debating what kind to buy. Last year we bought 4 starline packages from York, great bees but not enough time to make proper stores for winter. I only expect one hive to make it through. I know one place for sure I can get packages in Southern IA, would like to find some more close to central Ia. Also, do you know of anyone who sells nucs in mediums?

[BULLSEYE BILL]

I just recieved mine from Brushy Mountain. I paid $37.95 for them with two medium bodies. Extra mediums are $6.95. Be aware that they are not dovetailed.
They also have hive top feeders for them for $12.95, and they have the floating racks included!

------------------
Bullseye Bill
Smack dab in the middle of the country.

[mysticbees]

No, I haven't gotten my bees yet. I will be ordering them the 21st. I will be attending a meeting of our apiary club that evening in Oskaloosa. I'm going to try to get some of the "Old Timers" to help me with a deciosion on which types to order. If you'd like, I will try to get some info for you then. The main topic of discussion is going to be "getting inspected for the USDA certification".

[Michael Bush]

I'm in Greenwood, NE (between Omaha and Lincoln) and I'm buying and picking up some hives in mediums this spring. I can get a few extra if you wish to buy some. They are in new equipment with Feral survivor stock in them. Next spring I hope to be selling small bees in medium boxes or medium frames in nucs.

[mysticbees]

Hi Michael! At this time, I have all the mediums we are going to need. I am only setting up two hives this year. Next year, if don't murder both hives and feel confidant enough, I plan to set up two more. Then I will be looking for more hive equipment. (Unless we get this router figured out so we can make our own!)
I took measurements and put my little used CAD skills to work designing the plans for the bottom board and such. I'll be getting those together in the coming week.

[Brandon Shaw]

Michael,

Are the bees on 4.9? I don't see myself regressing the cell size for quite some time, so I wouldn't want to waste the efforts that have been put into them. Also, are they singles,doubles triples and what kind of price range would you be thinking?

Mysticbees,

Yes, I would like to hear more on what you find out. I'm still looking at all the options. By the way, the auction is scheduled for April 18, and will be in pleasant hill.

[Michael Bush]

>Are the bees on 4.9? I don't see myself regressing the cell size for quite some time, so I wouldn't want to waste the efforts that have been put into them. Also, are they singles,doubles triples and what kind of price range would you be thinking?

There are two things I'm offering here:

1. The first part of April (this year, 2003) I'm going to drive to Northern Texas and pick up hives for me. They were overwintered in two medium boxes. They are on 5.4mm foundation (or something close to that). They are feral stock and have had only FGMO treatments for mites. He has a few more hives than I'm getting for me, so if you only wanted a few (he might have as many as ten more) I'm going to be driving down renting the truck and hauling them back anyway. I would like to get a little to help pay for the gas. You can email me and we can discuss price etc. further. bush at inebraska dot com (hiding from the spam crawlers)

2. Next Spring (March/April of 2004) I hope to have "Natural sized" (4.9mm) cell bees for sale. These would be more money than the 5.4mm bees and would be available in whatever configuration you would like. 5 medium frame nucs, 10 frame medium boxes, or two 10 frame medium boxes.


[This message has been edited by Michael Bush (edited April 27, 2004).]