Carol Palmer wrote:

>I would like to try the caucasian bee, but I have heard that they tend
>toward excessive propolisation. Would I be sorry (read stupid) if I tried a
>season with this bee?
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No, you will not be sorry. You can live with propolis (and use it and
even sell it as some do). When you hear about traits, they are general
and may not apply to the ones you get. I have had Carneoleans which
propolized everything. If I didn't move fast, would have coated me.
Others propolized not at all.

The nice thing about Caucasians is they are normally very gentle bees
and a good starter bee. You will like that trait and not worry about the
propolis (which usually cleans up easily with your hive tool).

A local bee supplier starts everyone with Caucasians just because they
are easy to handle.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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