When to ordering package bees?

[Matt Guyrd]

Greetings everyone...another beginner question for you all.

I keep reading to "order early" when referencing package bees. What is considered "early"? What month is a typical time to consider placing orders?

I'll be taking a class with the local club in the Spring and likely ordering via the class. However, I anticipate starting two colonies and I'm not sure if I will be able to get two packages from the club.

I assume supply and demand would, to some extent, determines the latest at which a package could be order, too.

Thanks!
Matt

[JohnBeeMan]

Matt, check with your local club before ordering. Normally the students order their bees through the club. There is normally a discount by having a massive order (from serveral neighboring clubs). In addition there may be the savings from no shipping cost.

The northern Viriginia clubs are looking into possibly having nucs made up for the students by club members. This is an effort to get away from importing all the southern bees and help establish bees better adapted to the local conditions.

You should however go ahead and get your equipment in hand, assembled, and painted (outside parts only).

For the folks looking for packages in the spring that will not be going through their clubs, now is the time to order - no later than end of January.

[Matt Guyrd]

John...thanks! This is good info. In fact, I read on LBA's website something similar to your post, however, the info I was reading had posted dates of 2006. I was not sure of the current status of this project.

I was able to confirm that packages are ordered via the class but I do not know if more than one package (or nuc) will be available. I'll communicate more with the club members. If, in fact, only one package and\or nuc is available, I need to get up to speed on the type of bees for our area and consider placing an order for the second hive.

Thanks again...ths is the info I was looking for.

Matt

[JohnBeeMan]

Matt, I got six packages through the local club last year. Just make sure you place your order by the clubs deadline. The only risk that we had on limits were that the class took top priority for 2 packages per class member. This was due to the risk that the supplier would not have the expected packages due to weather.

[Fred Bee]

I have noticed some package suppliers are booking orders NOW for Spring 2008. I discovered today that Walter T. Kelley is posting this on their web site regarding package bee orders.

"We will begin accepting orders on 1/02/08 for the coming season. Order early for the ship or pick-up date of your choice. Call 1-800-233-2899."

Ok...Looks like they will be taking orders in early January 2008. If ordering package bees...now thru the end of January would be the time for many of the package bee suppliers.

[REDTRACTOR1]

Matt,
Most suppliers used to start taking orders on jan. 1 but most are starting to take orders on Dec 1. I know that Hardemans started on Dec 3 this year.
Thanks Dwight

[Grant]

Package producers shake a bunch of hives to sell packages, then as the brood recovers and the population increases, they can shake again. You can always get packages, but the real question is: Can you get them for your location early enough to establish a colony and build up sufficiently? The earlier you order, the earlier you can get your packages.

Some places, like Weavers, will send a truck from TX to points North. You won't get your bees any earlier, but you will get on their list to have packages on that truck.

When I was more intested in ordering packages, and getting a bulk discount, I talked to a couple of local clubs in January and February. Interest was luke warm. When we moved into March and April, interest about doubled. When packages arrived in mid-April, the procrastinators showed up.

So I always ordered mine in January, right after Christmas, and put in a large order to get the bulk discount and include extras for the procrastinators (and I charged them a little extra for the hassle as well).

I never had any leftover packages, but I also figured it I did, I could always use them in my bee yards. How early to order? I always like January, but in light of tight bee supplies, today may not be too early.

Grant
Jackson, MO

http://www.MakingPlasticFramesWork.homestead.com
http://www.25hives.homestead.com