"Newbie Question" Should I get FERALS BEES from local beekeeper or not. Please Help!

[radu43]

Hi All,
i just got offered a Nuc of Feral Bees from local beekeeper. He ensures me that I will be fine taken care of them as a "newbie" and that in many ways, there are advantages to go with Feral Bees. He also offered to help with all question that I might have or will have in the future, real nice guys it seems.

I'm somewhat scared that Feral Bees are to aggressive. I want "gentle" bees, don't want to fight them . Are my fears warranted or not? Should I take his advice as a "newbie" or tell him that I probably can't handle Feral Bees.

BTW I do have a 5 year old, so that is why I'm extra sensitive on the question of aggressive bees.

Please Help!!!

[Charlie B]

I was lucky enough to lure a small swarm of feral bees in SF about a month ago. They are less aggressive than my packaged Italians. I also got a swarm from Oakland that are very protective but not aggessive. I was stung by the Oakland girls but it was my fault, not theirs. I would go for it. Feral hives are tough survival wise and from my limited experience, as gentle as any packaged colony.

I have a 3 year old Granddaughter so I understand your concern but she is never allowed in the bee yard, ever!!

[radu43]

tanks for the reply. very helpful.

[MassKeeper]

I'm not sure where you are located, but I as long as you're not in an Africanized area take a shot.

[AmericasBeekeeper]

If you are comfortable managing them and they are good around the family, why not. Since bees do not come with date stamps, feral hives could have just come from another beekeeper's colonies. They may be all of a month or two "wild" if that. Most "bee wranglers" want to get a return on their investment as soon as they can turn them into cash. Feral colonies or "survivor stock" are good for beekeeping, but how can you be sure without little bee brands or date stamps?

[MCI]

I would accept contigent on going through the nuc in his yard before accepting it. If I were concerned about how hot they were I would go through them without smoke to see how many irritated and how many came out trying to sting. What I find acceptable and what you will tolerate may be completely different.

I grew up with bees and can tell you if you let your child access to the hives or help you work them they will probably get the occasional sting. That being said if you don't count the time I knocked the screem off a hive being moved I was stung far more stepping on a forager in the yard than a guard at the hive.

Mike

[radu43]

Thanks for the reply. Of course I have never seen a hive before, unless it was on the a TV. However the beekeeper seems very nice and i'm now more comfortable going forward with this.

[radu43]

I'm not sure where you are located, but I as long as you're not in an Africanized area take a shot.

I live in the San Francisco area. Hope I'm alright.

[Cedar Ridge Bees]

Radu,
I have 6 feral and 4 Italian and the ferals are great!! My 3 yo son helps collecting swarms. He picks them up on his finger and carries them to the hive. He enjoys help his dad and "Pop Pop" with the beekeepng. He has been stung a few times but after about 5 minutes he is ready to go back. He is not afraid of snakes either. Our local beekeepers organization is raising feral queens as we think they are better adapted to the local conditions. The one feral hive that I had that was somewhat aggressive had had their house destroyed in mid Sept. by an excatavtor. If you hit or bumped that hive they would all come out to see what was happening. They made it until Feb. and then died. Not sure what happened. If you are still not sure, get one of each!!
Kent
P.S. How are things on the Peninsula? I left San Carlos in '92

[jrbbees]

Build a barrier whereever you place your hives. Like a wooden fence or tall plants that force the bees to go up 6 feet before they can fly over your yard where your 5 year old is going to be. Your guard bees defend against what they can see. If they don't see you in the yard before they get up and start moving you are almost aways ingnored. 6 feet is the norm.

[radu43]

P.S. How are things on the Peninsula? I left San Carlos in '92

Thanks for the reply. We love the bay area and San Carlos is a better than ever. Just had dinner at Town recently.

[Ben Brewcat]

Give the "ferals" a shot. Be aware though of the seller's reputation and breeding practices... some bees billed as "survivor stock" are actually just escaped managed bees such as swarms that repopulate deadouts. There's no real reason for the ferals to be any scarier (or miraculous) than ay others; won't know until you give them a season in court.

[Michael Bush]

>I'm somewhat scared that Feral Bees are to aggressive. I want "gentle" bees, don't want to fight them . Are my fears warranted or not?

You are in California, so it's harder to say. But feral simply means they USED to be domestic and escaped. The advantages are that they have proven they can live on their own. Some ferals are quite gentle and if your supplier is selecting for that yours may be too. Some are not. And if he is NOT selecting for that they may not be gentle. You can end up with domestic stock that is not gentle as well...

[RayMarler]

There's no mean bees in Menlo Park, that's a nice area for bees by the way, it's probably swarms from the area from other hobbiest's hives and not truly feral bees. And, you've got a beekeeper that sounds like he's willing to take you on board. You better jump on board while the offer is there and enjoy the ride. The best thing a newbee can do is get parked under a more experienced beekeeper mentor. You'll learn much more and much faster than you can any other way. Take the bees and good luck with the new hobby!