Billy Whitener wants to know what would be a fair price to offer for hives
of bees.
 
There are several things to consider before you think about the value of a
hive:
1.  How old are the hive bodies, tops and bottoms?
2.  How old are the frames and combs?
3.  Were the colonies requeened recently?
4.  What is the level of Honey Bee Tracheal Mites(HBTM) in the bees?
5.  What is the level of Varroa in the colony?
6.  When were the colonies last treated for mites?
7.  What chemicals were used to treat for mites?
8.  Does the comb contain residues of American Foulbrood?
9.  Why does the beekeeper want to sell the hives?
10.  How many combs of bees are in the hive?
11.  How badly do you want more hives?
12.  How much are you willing to pay, and perhaps lose?
 
These questions all determine the ultimate value of the hives of bees.  The
value range may be from nothing to about $75.00 for a two story deep hive,
$100 for a three story.
 
If the colonies were not treated for mites last fall or this spring, or
were improperly treated, the colonies may suffer extensive mite damage in
late summer when the honey flow ends.  If this occurs you will have paid
for little or nothing.  The value is mostly in the bees unless the
equipment is under six years old, and if you want to increase your number
of hives.
 
If the equipment, frames and comb are over ten years old, and or damaged,
the value would be in the bees; provided they have been treated for mites.
At 60 F. one comb completely covered with bees will have about a pound of
bees.  Estimate the number of combs of bees, multiply by the average price
per pound for advertized packaged bees (less the queen value), and you have
a fair value for the bees.
 
If the equipment including frames and combs are under ten years old, the
bees have been properly treated for mites, the mite levels are 10 percent
for HBTM, and Varroa was treated with Apistan last fall or this spring, for
two story hives containing 15 combs of bees, use a starting price of $40
and negotiate upward to reach an agreed upon price with the seller.  Top
price would be about $75.
 
Additional supers depending on their age may be valued between $8 and $20.
You could even pay new price if the equipment is one to three years old and
properly assembled and painted.
 
James C. Bach
Yakima WA
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