Need package bees in Colorado

**castlebee** · 09-24-2005, 07:23 PM

I will need two packages of bees this coming spring. Do I need to order now? Have the hurricanes affected supplies? I am most interested in gentle bees resistant to disease rather than obtaining the highest honey production. Any recommendations on where and when to order? Thank you.

**tecumseh** · 09-25-2005, 04:18 AM

the following advice is free and worth exactly that. you need to place an order by the end of the year. at least in texas you have to have a state permit to sell queens and bulk bees. there may be some conflict in your desire to have gentle bees and disease resistant bees all rolled up into the same package. benford weaver is right down the road from me in Navasota and I have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone. I use their italian (all-american allstars) which are very manageable. there product is not the cheapest item on the block, but there is an old business saying 'you get what you pay for'. there web address is beeweaver.com. do not be confused by the x,y and z weavers that also reside about navasota.

**Joel** · 09-25-2005, 06:12 AM

Tecumseh, have you spoke to anyone there since the losses this spring and if so how are things looking? After ordering from many suppliers over the years, although some think they have a more aggresive tendency, their Buckfast have been exceptional bees.

**Ben Brewcat** · 09-25-2005, 08:30 AM

Castlebee, try the Colorado beekeepers association. I got my package from Susan who also comes up to the Boulder County Beekeepers Assoc. meetings; she drives a big shipment from CA over to KS for a supplier and stops in Denver and in Boulder areas for folks who ordered to pick up. My three pounder had only four dead bees in the bottom and thrived... much better than most of the reports I've heard about some shipped packages.

If you go to a meeting or two, you could see if someone would give you a split or nuc too.

**castlebee** · 09-25-2005, 11:08 AM

Thanks - I will contact these Colorado people for their thought, but I welcome everyone's ideas.

**Robert Hawkins** · 09-25-2005, 04:41 PM

I tried to buy bees in colorado and it didn't work out. Both of those web sites show there next event is June 18th, 2005. That's more than three months ago!!! Castle I suggest you contact Jerry Webb and see if you can add your order to his. Unless he's planning on a late delivery This ought to work for you. Or contact me.

Hawk