Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Garthog on April 03, 2015, 03:59:03 pm

Title: Too late to order for this season?
Post by: Garthog on April 03, 2015, 03:59:03 pm

Hello folks...

Would it be too late to order for this season?  I'm a dead beginner in Maryland, and am wanting to (if possible) get two hives started ASAP.  That means ordering 2 Nuc's, and getting 2 boxes ready.  I'm prepared to let my wallet take a hit for my tardiness, and order assembled hive kits, but main question is if I order this week, and hope to transfer next weekend - would it be too late to be healthy, and give them a chance? 

Kicking myself in the butt for not starting this earlier,

Garthog

Title: Re: Too late to order for this season?
Post by: mikecva on April 03, 2015, 05:00:30 pm

it is late but you can try Brushy Mountain bees farm: http://www.brushymountainbeefarm.com/

Otherwise if you are in a local bee club, someone may be able to help you catch a swarm.  -Mike

Title: Re: Too late to order for this season?
Post by: Hops Brewster on April 03, 2015, 06:48:09 pm

Also look in your local want ads, nickel ads, craigslist, etc.  There are usually nucs available well into the season.

Title: Re: Too late to order for this season?
Post by: buzzbee on April 03, 2015, 07:24:19 pm

You can try Brushymountain. They have bee pickup in May at the PA branch.  You can also contact Mann Lake for bees at their PA store. Tomorrow,April 4th is most likely sold out but they have another bee pickup day later in April.

Title: Re: Too late to order for this season?
Post by: Garthog on April 03, 2015, 07:27:24 pm

Thanks so much for the responses - so far i've gotten confirmation that Kelley will have bees/queen on May 02 available (not Nuc's), calling Brushy Mountain tomorrow...

That'll give me time to get the hive(s) ready.


Garthog

Title: Re: Too late to order for this season?
Post by: jayj200 on April 04, 2015, 07:07:26 pm

It is only late to order them. not to start a new colony

Title: Re: Too late to order for this season?
Post by: rookie2531 on April 04, 2015, 10:55:19 pm

I can't stress enough to look for local nucs. You can probably get some from a bee club near you. These bees will also bee acclimated tto your weather conditions and not from the southern states.

Title: Re: Too late to order for this season?
Post by: jayj200 on April 06, 2015, 09:15:02 am

Sam Comfert is taking many north with him this week or next

Title: Re: Too late to order for this season?
Post by: hilltophermit on April 11, 2015, 08:41:10 am

according to an e mail i just got, Kelly bees is still taking package orders. https://www.kelleybees.com/

Title: Re: Too late to order for this season?
Post by: Highlander on April 17, 2015, 08:39:05 pm

Just talked to Wild Creek Bee Farm in Lehighton, PA and they still have Nucs available for lat May.   570-527-0863  everyone on the mountain here lost there hives this winter, it seems all after February, so we are scrambling to find bees.

Hope this helps ,