Beekeeping Basics Choosing the Right Bee
An educated choice is better than an uneducated guess. IRescueBees is here to help with our blog Beekeeping Basics Choosing the Right Bee
The honey bee comes in many different breeds. Each breed has it’s own characteristics.
For instance, one breed may be gentle and productive but, is susceptible to disease. While another could be a bit more protective yet, can be disease resistant.
Lets start with the Italian honey bee…
Italian honey bees are by far the most well know of all breeds. Beginners often start out with Italian bees.
While they are widely available and the best selling honey bee breed but, that does not make the perfect. Although, gentle and easy to work with they need to be medicated to overcome local bee diseases.
Italians have also been extensively inbred that listed characteristics may not bee there. As a whole, Italian honey bees are prolific, have a low tendency to swarm, medium propolizing, gentle and make nice white cappings.
Conversely, they exhibit low hygienic behavior and have a slow spring build if not fed. Hygienic behavior aids in the removal of varroa and other parasitic mites.
We will cover bee diseases and mites in another post.
Although, we do not use Italian bees in our apiaries, we do recommend them to the beginner.
Russian Honey Bees…
These are another available breed, many beekeeping suppliers provide Russian as well as Italian honey bees.
Russian honey bees are a three way cross of Caucasian, Carniolan and Italian. Bred for disease and mite resistance, make them a great choice for the beginner that wants to manage bees chemical free.
Great honey hording with a less swarming tendency of Italian. With maximum propolizing makes them perfect for propolis production.
Not as gentle as Italians; so if your willing to take a few stings Russians will work fine.
What about the Buckfast…
This breed sells well and is available in the United States. But, we do not recommend Buckfast for the beginner, they are just to hot.
Buckfast bee is a sub breed of Italian bees. Developed by Karl Kegrle ( brother Adam ) while in charge of beekeeping at Buckfast Abbey in England. Bred for a fast spring build up, hygienic behavior and prolific honey gathering these too have their negative traits.
They are not gentle and the queen needs to be changed every year.
IRescueBees recommends that the beginner start with Italian honey bees. These will give you a feel of beekeeping and honey bee behavior.
As you grow in experience consider other breeds. We only use feral bees in our apiaries, we call them mutts.
Feral bees are available but not to purchase. These must be caught.
You can advertise that you will chase swarms ( for a charge, do not chase swarms for free remember hives cost money )