Drapers Super Bee's ?

[TwT]

Well this is my first post, I have been around bees a good part of my youth (my father had & still has bees) i always wanted so my self but im finally going to get me some , but i want a different bee , has anyone ever bought any bees from Draper's , i want to start 3 hives this coming spring (05) . I'm looking at getting 3 different types from them (drapers) ALLSTAR , SMART/HARBO, and RUSSIANS . Any info on these 3 lines from drapers would be appreciated. thanks

[Hook]

I bought 2 nucs from Drapers about 3 years ago. This from Drapers located here in PA, they are bees. I think his queens come from weavers, but I can be wrong. I got the SMR queens from him, and still graft from the daughters today. I have been told, that the SMR gene is not present after the third generation, but I am working on gen 6 or 7, and still have low mite counts. In fact, I am involved in Penn State research, and did a sugar roll test on Aug 1st, and from 1/2 cup of bees, only saw 1 mite. However, my mite counts were low throughout the apiary, so it maybe because of the weather this season. I'm not sure, but I'm happy with the SMR line. The queens I raise from the original, all have very tight brood paterns and winter very well in PA. They seen a little flighty on the combs, and are a little more agressive, but that could have come from crossbreeding.

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Dale Richards
Dal-Col Apiaries
Drums, PA

[TwT]

Hook you must be the only one that has bees from drapers, wonder way no one else has replied.thanx about the info on the bees hook

[TwT]

does anyone else ever heard anything about the allstar bees and the smr bees from drapers? about mite reduction, good strong hives, just anything ???

[stonybrook]

Hi Folks,

I have bought many a queen from Drapers in Pennsylvania. I have acquired their "hybrid" strain, carnolians and buckfast's from them. My experience in dealing with Bill and Royal Draper has been 100% positive. They are knowledgable and friendly to deal with, and always went above and beyond the call to ensure my queens were shipped same day, etc.. I would recommend them to anyone.

-cheers

todd