just wondering when is the earliest i could get a nuc of bees. do most beekeepers make them up around the same time ( ive heard april/may ) or do some have queens from last year so they can have early nucs?
thanks
22 January 2011 - 8:16pm
#1
KevinK
early bees?
you might be lucky and pick up a swarm early may, but the most of nuc production is done from late may onwards
thanks keith, ill keep a look out, but dont think ill get one as i havent seen a swarm in years! :(
Hi Kevin,
I know a fellowbeekeeper in Camolin Gorey who has nucs that weren't sold last year so should be strong if you wanted to get an early start, sorry no idea of cost, where are you based?
cheers for that joctcl, im based in co. cork. you wouldnt happen to have contact details?
Hi Keith,
Just wondering if you had contact details for that guy in Gorey with unsold nucs. Would be interested in getting a few.
Thanks
Sean
It wasent me that said that, but it might be michael wilde 0872213754 Or ger williams, who i have no contact details for.... keith
>I know a fellowbeekeeper in Camolin Gorey....
Just be careful where you buy your bees from and that they are from a reputable source..
Ask in you local assocation and they should point you in the right direction..
ya, am gonna get them off my local association, ill get them much cheaper and wont have to travel, the only downside is that ill have to wait a bit longer to get them *sigh* lol
Hi Kevin/Curach
Keith is right buying nucs, it is a bit of a minefield unless you know something about where they are coming from.
The guy I recommended in Gorey I have had 2 Nucs from and several others have all had success, he even replaced a queen that a novice killed accidentally.
However 2 years ago Nucs were 120-140, with the upsurge in intersest in beekeeping this seems to be now at 160-180, which is crazy considering we are in the middle of a recession!In the Uk last year they were going for 250Stg!!
It is dependant how many frames they come on, you should look for at least 5, and whether the seller wants his nuc box back or not.
If you have the opportunity try and source from you local association, as there are lots of theories now about hives with increased disease resistance and doing better in a general locality they are familiar with.
In advance of getting your bees use this time to do your research!