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Me too, I hope I never have to buy another commercial queen, they are way too needy, I have forty five hives now that are all mutts from local survivors, many are black with gray stripes, they're not bad to work after weeding out the meanest queens for two or three years. They cut down when needed and explode when there is a flow, they are also very hygienic and will take out larvae when they have a problem.I have several that are black w/ gray stripes, as described. Good to see it is nationwide.
I'm lucky to find an eight foot hill around here, but the bees sound a lot alike.That is exactly what I do. I live in a very remote region with few beekeepers. I normally mate them out at around 8000' on a mountain.
I have all my bees like this. Interestingly, over past two years, my two original beehives decided to differentiate - one becomes entirely black-gray strips and another - more yellowish. Originally, both hives were mix. Bees themselves are small, but drones are huge and always totally dark (black?). Bees are treatment-free and I stop counting varroa, they do not care much. They also foundationless. They used to be protective, but they are quite mild now (without deep digging into the nest). I am very happy with my bees.Sounds exactly like mine! ...