Hello there--
 
Recently there was an article in Bee Culture about raising Northern bees
using an alternative approach; overwintering mininucs with laying queens
directly above a more established colony.  Because here in Maryland
beekeeping is, well, frankly pretty boring after our 6-8 week honey flow
(which is about to begin), I'm thinking about trying to raise a few queens
this summer/fall and overwintering them.
 
The author of the Bee Culture article wrote, with literary swagger, that
perhaps the North will soon export packages and queens to the South.  I
expect that much of this is puffery but wonder if anyone else has tried it
and met his claims of <30% loss (a real advantage, he says, as the natural
selection of winter culls the weaklings from superior stock).
 
I'm attracted to the idea but skeptical--is anyone else?
 
Tim Cote MD MPH
Timothy Cote MD MPH
512 Boston Ave
Takoma Park, MD   20912
301-587-2425
fax 301-587-6192
[log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]