Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[hannah donovan]

hi all,
where is the best place to buy placid bees from... i was promised a hive, BUT the current owner is having second thoughts, so i am getting ready to buy some instead... and how do you know the seller is a good one please?

[obcarskas]

well bees seem like gold dust in uk ! found a site in scotland saying orders months in advance

such is the state of bees hey ! far easier to buy pedigree dogs a gogo than bees !

http://www.honeybeesforsale.co.uk/

this guy has some ready mid april per website if not already reserved ! says black queens interestingly

http://localhoneyman.co.uk/products-page-2/honeybee-for-sale-2/honeybees-for-sale-nuc/

another is..

http://www.bshoneybees.co.uk/

http://www.the-beeman.co.uk/

this one says 250 GBP per nuc...

another

http://www.easybeeproducts.co.uk/

now all this alarms me to be honest

seems a rare commodity and pricey hey ! taking risk of them flitting off into account and not knowing if a queen is in there or not ouffr

this ad says checked by inspector bees at 200GBP about cost...for a nuc...

dont know if that includes the nuc or not ! seems possible not hey !

http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/list?keyword=honey%20bees%20for%20sale

[Dexter's shed]

have you got a local bee club you can join?
most clubs have a swarm list (ours does) you simply put your name on the list and any swarms that are picked up are then given to that person, free of charge

[ingo50]

I was lucky to find a local supplier about 10 miles from where I live, who also sells beekeeping equipment. In late summer one can get some hands- on experience in their breeding apiary where they have around 50 colonies. This is offered free to customers. They practice conventional low treatment beekeeping. They are active in a local club, which I joined, and many members have had bees from them without problems. The going rate for a nucleus here is £150. I am now on two swarm lists this year.
Try to find local beekeepers, once you get to know a few, I'm sure you will be ale to get a swarm or nuc, as most of us wish to promote beekeeping. Good luck.