Ruhl Bee
Supply

2012 Package Bees
We are now accepting orders for packages of Italian or Carniolan honeybees for the Spring of 2012. You may reserve a package by making a deposit.

Pricing will be finalized in January and you will be notified of when the final payment is due.  Package bees typically arrive within the first half of April.  A target arrival date will be set in early Spring and you will be notified with as much notice as possible, but please be advised that dates are subject to change.  

2012 Nucleus Hives
We expect to have nucleus hives available starting in the second half of April through May.  Nucleus hives are an excellent alternative if you have missed the Package Bee window.  Nuc hives consist of 4 frames of bees plus a frame feeder inside a wooden nuc box.  You may reserve your Nuc with a deposit.  Exact dates and pricing are TBD.

2012 Queens
Italian and Carniolan queens will be available approximately in the second half of April through September. Exact dates are TBD.

About Italian and Carniolan bees: 
Colony behavior can vary significantly from hive to hive. Further, bee behavior can change by selective breeding within the race. Keep in mind that bee traits you see described on websites and in beekeping books are often citing the traits of the original stock (from Italy or Slovenia, for example) but these European (old world) bees have been selectively bred in North America (new world) for specific traits since they were first introduced here from Europe.  So they might deviate in behavior from the old world stock.

The Italian bee is generally described as gentle and productive.  We handle thousands of colonies, and we find this to be true.  We consider the Italian bee to be great for suburban beekeeping because of its gentle characteristics combined with good honey productivity.  The New World Carniolan bee is thought to do well in colder, more mountainous climates. But, in our experience, the New World Carniolan tends to be quicker to defend its hive, so is perhaps less well suited to backyard beekeeping where you have close neighbors.  Carniolans also tend to maintain a smaller cluster during the winter, and are late to build up brood in the spring--great traits for mountain foothill bee survival.  However, the increase is quick when it happens, which can lead to unexpected swarming early in the season. 


Italian Honeybee on Lavender (Notice the yellow and black striping on the abdomen.)
Carniolan Honeybee on Thyme (Notice the grey and black striping on the abdomen.)
Visit our Gladstone store at
17845 SE 82nd Drive,
Gladstone, Oregon 97027
Or call us at 503 657 5399