Release time on Bees

[Poptart]

What is the estimated time that the growers will start to release bees to head back east.

[Tom G. Laury]

After every last petal has fallen.

OK, usually the earliest releases are around the 20th.

[hpm08161947]

If the earliest release is 3/20, that is going to make for some panic stricken blue berry farmers here in eastern NC. Some berries are already near bloom.

[Tom G. Laury]

Well it is hard to be in two places at the same time.

There are a lot of blueberries here in California now and they have had their bees for 2 weeks or more. Blooming now.

[Laurence Hope]

I think it also has to do with the variety and where your bees are in the state. My growers have late varieties, just in full bloom, so my date will be later than many.

[Honey-4-All]

Guess its good to have bees in the north this year.

I have one grower,myself, who will be releasing bees in two days. I would expect that the rest will be free to fly to their next gig around here by next Tuesday.

Time to move the drones to the mating nuc yards. Cells start to go in on Tuesday night. Couple of days locked up and then time for the queens to get friskie.

I sure am glad I'm not one of those nervous Midwest or eastcoast guys watching my honey crop or next pollination check disappear by the minute with bees locked up in some grove in California. Welcome to the world of beekeeping.

Flexibility and adaptability are surely a traits a beekeeper needs. The only place in the world where bugs can drive you crazy if your not flexible enough to dance to the tune their playing.

[mnbeekeeper]

what is the word. central cali. is it over. waiting in texas......

[Tom G. Laury]

It is over, but there are still petals hanging on the trees. Some windy days would help convince the people paying the bills. I haven't seen any bees on the road yet.

[Johnny]

Just drove to Hughson yesterday, looks like all the bees are still in. Still allot of pedals on the trees were my hives are. The grower thinks maybe two more weeks. The bees look really good though!

[Poptart]

If you read the Blue Diamond report, it pretty much states everything is pretty much in the jacket from North to South. I have heard of several loads of bees already released! Time will tell I guess!

[Honey-4-All]

I have 200 in the Ripon area on later trees. "This weekend"
is the answer. Stragglers at best considering the date and the time already in.

[suttonbeeman]

I am released as of Tomorrow 3/20. Both loads loading out Monday. My driver saw 5 loads heading east thurday coming thru Arizona. I know of some more loading tonight and 5 loads that were released a week ago down around Bakersville,

[JohnK and Sheri]

Our first two head out Monday. Seems early for bees in Wisconsin, still lots of snow on the ground but looking like it should be gone by the time the bees get home. Hoping!

Sheri

[queenking]

i have some hives here in new york ready for the early blooms.

[sqkcrk]

Got pollination contracts, queenking?

[queenking]

no not yet. trying to get to girls through the rest of the winter

[LSPender]

releases aren't the problem, someone left the sprinkler on, OH I mean rain, rain & more in turlock area. Mud in the foothills hope we get some sun, suppose to load out 2 semi thurs & fri.

[jim lyon]

Dust, dust and more dust here in east Texas. Just unloaded 1st load from Cali, looked pretty good by flashlight.

[wildbranch2007]

some are having trouble making it home

http://www.natchezdemocrat.com/news/...m-after-wreck/

[Beeslave]

still lots of snow on the ground but looking like it should be gone by the time the bees get home. Hoping!

Sheri

bees are in CA with comments coming of to many bees in the hives................Back in WI the frost is leaving, the snow is melting, the sap is flowing, the rain is falling, the road bans are on................