HAP-BEE NEW YEAR!!!
Truchas Rainbow Hives
We are hopeful that this Age of “Api-quarius” brings positive consciousness and promotion!
Starting Jan 2nd, We will begin taking reservations for the next three weeks for NM orders only.
Starting January 22nd, we will then begin taking reservations from outside of NM.
*Starter Nuclei available for pick up only. Queens shipped via USPS Priority & Express Mail. 50% deposit required to secure reservation. Final payment due by pick up.
Fresh Season Starter Nuclei: $175 (+ $10 reusable transport nuc box); 4 combs with brood, bees, some food stores and a well-mated laying queen
Overwintered Nuclei: These will be shared as Breeding Companions only. We won’t know until March if any are available. Price yet to be determined as these have tested Breeding Companions.
Enchanted Empress LongeviBees: Prize Breeding Companion Queens- selected from our most resilient and productive stock. Recommended for queen producers wanting to add tested survivor stock for enhancing genetic pool and for grafting for production queens. $200/each
ZQB LongeviBees: Production Queens for enthusiasts beginning in June. $40 + shipping
Being that we are a two-person op and we produce all of our bees in state, we would like to share our bees with those nearby first. This is our attempt to support local beekeepers and their needs as a priority for our area. To place an order, please email us at ziaqueenbees@hotmail.com or longevibees@gmail.com or Tel: 505/929-8080
Pollinator Pensees- Beekeepers have choices:
Learn to work with existing landscape, local circumstances and regional producers
OR
Import pollinators that may or may not have been produced with conscientious methods and with manipulated nutriton.
We do not promote negative impressions of other producers; but rather, want enthusiasts to recognize and learn the variances in production methodology, location and management that can either benefit or be a detriment to maintaining quality honeybee stock.
If one chooses to import, we recommend asking the following questions from producers to have a better comprehension of the production process. Enthusiasts will be better able to make an educated decision that will either help or hinder our region’s pollinators.
1) What genetics?
If the answer includes potential AHB (Africanized honeybees), then those in densely populated areas are encouraged to seek other genetic stock. For those near breeding operations, it is recommended to not promote AHB genetics as it can affect local stock as well. Despite AHB being very resilient and hearty stock, the truth is that they are aggressive. Having aggressive bees in densely populated areas and in areas where they have not been documented, can adversely affect local stock and management for both novice and professionals.
2) Calendar of production: how long are virgins left in the mating nuclei?
If the answer is anything under 21 days, then consideration of statistical endurance should be of concern as repeated research indicates that queenbees “harvested” under 21 days demonstrate a much higher rate of supercedure.
3) What are the bees eating/fed?
If a producer is relying on High Fructose Corn Syrup to keep their bees fed, AND in conjunction with compromised cultivars (pesticide/herbicide laden crops), then concern should be over the nutrition and organism development from such contaminated forage.
4) When are the queens/nuclei produced?
If early spring, the weather around the country is indeed volatile. Locations that can produce bees “early” suffer from moisture, wind and other weather conditions that will affect the forage, mating and production.
* Starting bees in the early spring may seem the “norm”, but the reality is that the bees themselves need this time to recuperate from overwintering and to begin to build up. Since the timing of spring varies by region, it makes sense to work with bees locally; to follow their and Mother Nature’s lead as to when to begin splitting and rearing. As such, this doesn’t always coincide with the “textbook” recommendations. Getting bees established when they would normally be establishing themselves in one’s area, is the best for the bees and the steward. Trying to establish bees when there are still cold snaps, late frosts and high winds, will not work to the bees’ benefit nor the stewards’.
By coordinating with local producers, enthusiasts will gain a better understanding and appreciation of the natural reproductive process of the bees and how we as their stewards, are able to work alongside it, not against it and not forcing it to occur on our own schedules.
It is a change in mindset….one that will demonstrate to those willing, that waiting for bees to be ready when they should be ready for their area, will lend to higher quality stock and performance.
Package bees are bees that have been “blown” from honey supers (older foraging bees) and do not come with an established home. While they are shipped with a queen, they have no real allegiance to a new queen that they did not help rear. The stress of packaging, shipping and installing gives packages a 50/50 chance of initial establishment. As to how they endure, well that is an additional risk which depends on numerous factors that the purchasing enthusiast is not in control over ( origin managment, location and production, shipping carrier practices, timeline, etc).
While starting with packages may seem that less is imported in terms of wax comb, which can help to avoid contamination issues (comb acts as a sponge), diseases and pests can still be imported and are a threat to local pollinator populations. This coupled with the lack of an established hive organism “family” demonstrates how packages are indeed stressful on bees.
Starting with nuclei- mini hive families that have some comb, brood, bees, food stores and a well-mated laying queen is ideal. This gives the bees the opportunity to further nurture their developing hive family and they are familiar with each other, with their comb, and with their queen. They have initial food stores to keep their nutrition up while seasonal bloom develops.
Regardless of origin, all bees need several things:
Proper nutrition, proper housing, and proper management.
It is our goal to share our experiences and practices to help all beekeepers in their stewardship endeavors. We feel blessed that our bees have taken care of us and our small family over the past 8 years. We can only hope that our symbiotic relationship will continue into future generations, for our pollination needs, food security, our children, and our communities. We continue to learn and consider ourselves perpetual students of the bees and Mother Nature.
Thank you for your interest and Viva Las Abejas!
M&M- ZQB