Reply to Glen Gater on purchasing Nucs
 
I started with Buckfast and keep them and similar in another yard.
I got into Russian bees simply for the reason of Hygenics to deal with the  
varroa etc.
I have the yellow line and expecting some new O Blue queens to vary the  
genetics in the yard. I had different lines in the past and always try to be  
informed by the breeder on what the latest is getting the specs from him as to  
production, hygenic test results , quick test, nosema spores etc etc.
From the list I pick the best!
 
When I got the first nucs several years ago,  I was amazed how fast  they 
needed more room and brought me 150 lbs of honey each by the end of the  season.
One has to get use to the way they operate and for example if there is a  
dearth period for some time one might find no eggs and maybe no brood either and  
then she fires up and voila as the say they bring in the gold.
I treat them for foulbrood using teramyacin and nothing else.
Sorry no apistan, no coumophos , no formic nor oxalic.
They do the house cleaning really well.
As for gentleness, with the exception of rubbing them the wrong way at the  
wrong time, I'm around them in short sleeves and maybe a veil if they pick on 
me  cause I'm not a bee.
All queens are closed mated.  They're a little more pricey but the  savings 
are in the treatments and time. and time is money that's why most of us  have 
bees I think!
My hives in the winter are insulated although it is said that these  
creatures do really well in the traditional manner of keeping.
Swarming has not really been  an issue and you have to be on top of  things 
on a regular basis.
Production average is 150 to 200 lbs. I'm into varietal honey and bottom  
super.
 
Walter
Little Wolf Apiaries
Ontario

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