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Post by johno on Aug 28, 2011 15:25:08 GMT -5
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Post by robertb on Aug 28, 2011 17:42:17 GMT -5
I don't know why anyone would want to warn people off using swarms, unless they're selling bees. I get them moving into empty hives, and I'm deliberately trying to develop a strain from local swarms. They're not always well adapted to our climate, but a lot of them are, and they're not necessarily swarmier than other bees. They have to have come from colonies which built up well, so they've always been quite healthy. In the UK it's commonplace to start beginners off with a swarm, but we don't have anything remotely like the package bee industry you find in the states, and nucs are extremely expensive.
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Post by steev on Aug 29, 2011 18:24:15 GMT -5
That's an interesting site. I've never considered buying a swarm. Always thought I'd set up a hive and wait for bees to find it and move in. There are always lots of hives around my farm and I'm in no hurry.
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Post by steev on Aug 30, 2011 14:33:45 GMT -5
It has long surprised me how many hives there are in urban areas; I see a loose swarm every few years, and it's disappointing how unwanted they are, fear of disease or bad genetics, I suppose. Here in Oakland, I've known of ~9 hives within a 10-block radius of my house. Today, I'm going to check out for estimate a potential new account; the client cautioned me to be aware of his two hives, which he says have been deal-breakers with several yard-maintenance companies. Doesn't bother me; it's not like he's infested with mimes.
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