Printable View
Ok, looks like its best to buy a 3 pound pack of bees to start, correct? Will that be enough for two hives? My neighbor had two hives last year, but they all died from way moths (?) when I mentioned I was planning on starting one he said he would give me one if I buy the bees and we can learn.
No, a package only has one queen. If you purchase a single 3 lb package you can let it grow to size and then do a "split", probably next spring.
Usually just a single hive. I've seen folks buy a 4 lb package and an extra queen and make two colonies that way. Can't say how it turned out, especially up here in NE. I'd stick with one package for one hive.
Best to keep it at one hive. Can probably split it next year.
Buy a nuc from someone locally. Then you get a small established hive. They will build up quicker and have a better chance of surviving.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jipow
Bees don't generally die from wax moths. The moths move in when there are other problems and the bees can't manage the space well enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jipow
Richard
Thats what I was thinking, but wasn't sure. I had sent a couple of e mails to a few local mentors, got a nice response from one and hopefuly will be meeting this weekend and will get some tips and advice.Quote:
Originally Posted by rkereid