Russian bees?

[nao57]

So I'm curious if any of you have tried Russian bees before?

I'd heard things both ways on them, both positive and negative.

So I'm not sure what to think.

And I'm not sure also if you can even get them anymore because breeds in the US are so muddied and mixed?

And also wanted to ask the same thing for Buckfasts?

 

[R2elk]

So I'm curious if any of you have tried Russian bees before?

I'd heard things both ways on them, both positive and negative.

So I'm not sure what to think.

And I'm not sure also if you can even get them anymore because breeds in the US are so muddied and mixed?

And also wanted to ask the same thing for Buckfasts?

I had Russians. They over wintered well the first year but a early cold snap in November (-27°F) wiped them out the second winter. Mine were non-aggressive but were not the greatest at producing honey.

I used to have Buckfasts and they were by far the meanest bees that I have ever dealt with. They were extremely aggressive. They would sting you just for walking by the hive. They would swarm excessively. I will never have them again.

The absolute best honey producers and mildest bees that I have ever had were the Italians from Noble Apiaries. Unfortunately they have switched to local pick up only and are no longer available to me.

FYI, the sister site BackYardHerds has a dedicated Bees and Beekeeping forum.

 

[nao57]

I had Russians. They over wintered well the first year but a early cold snap in November (-27°F) wiped them out the second winter. Mine were non-aggressive but were not the greatest at producing honey.

I used to have Buckfasts and they were by far the meanest bees that I have ever dealt with. They were extremely aggressive. They would sting you just for walking by the hive. They would swarm excessively. I will never have them again.

The absolute best honey producers and mildest bees that I have ever had were the Italians from Noble Apiaries. Unfortunately they have switched to local pick up only and are no longer available to me.

FYI, the sister site BackYardHerds has a dedicated Bees and Beekeeping forum.

Thanks for the response.

Yes I have visited that other forum. Its just very slow and non-existent for communication for the threads I'm interested in. It took over a week for 1 response the last time I was there. But this site, I will have tons of views per thread, and responses within 24 hours.

Thank you really.

I hope its going well with you for bees still.

 

[R2elk]

I hope its going well with you for bees still.

I will know in about 3 weeks. They are out and foraging well but the wildflowers took a major hit from the snowstorm.