I have just lost my last colony of Bees. Three colonies lost in three years. Can anyone help me find a new colony in the Gironde, Dordogne or Lotte Garrone departments? Either an unwanted swarm later in the season, or a spare colony for sale? Otherwise, no honey this year for my glazed duck or Bar B Q spare ribs.
Hi mary
Thanks for the thought. I am just about to go to the UK, and when I get back I will be marking GCSE scripts for a few weeks, but yes I am still seeking Bees. I have a swarm to collect from St Clare when I return, and I also hope to get some Buckfast Bees in July. However, I want to build up about six colonies so that I do not find I lose all of them, I hope!
I live close to the Bordeaux / Pau motorway, so Pau would be viable. If your contact is a professional she may be able to despatch them. Anyway, please ask on my behalf.
Many thanks and best regards: Alan
Hi…just wondering if you found some bees? I will (probably) see a book club member next week who is a bee keeper-i could ask her about hives and see if she has some available. but location is Pau-not one of the departments you mentioned. Let me know if you want me to inquire for you. All the best, Mary
We lost over half our colonies also this year, Alan. Just shelled out over 3000 euro on new colonies. Our analysis results pointed to pesticides, and Bt toxin in high levels. There was a corn trial beside one of our apiaries, and we only found out late into the season.
hopefully this year is better.
Not sure of the problem Mary. No crops in my area except hay. Lots of fallow land. There was chalk brood in some of the frames, but only a dozen or so Bee bodies. Bess were flying in February, when we had some really warm days. Then frost hit again in March.
I am so sorry to hear this…I hope you are able to find a swarm/colony…please keep us updated! Do you know why this happened to your bees?
Many thanks Jane. I have messaged you. Yes, Buckfast Bees have a good reputation. I remember them from my Bee keepers course. Not sure about Tonic Wine, but Devonshire Mead is worth getting.
Buckfast also poduces the famous Tonic Wine which keeps so many in the West of Scotland happy at modest cost!
buckfast bees are nice, so happy go lucky, I love them.
perfect for a hobbyist!
You’re right Zoe!
You sure they're not buckfast bees, from Buckfast abbey, also in Devon, they are a strain of bee well known for being docile.
if I recall, Buckland only had one swarm of bees, and it was taken there from somewhere else.
My French neighbour has bees from Buckland Abbey in Devon. He says they are very easy to handle.
Alan, use the link at the bottom to E-mail these guys to have yourself listed as a swarm collector. I've collected a few colonies this way, it might help. http://www.planetepassion.eu/wildlife-in-france/collection-of-bee-swarms-in-france-english-speaking.html
Thanks Sheila
Will do!
I did not know that the group existed.
Alan
Hi Alan. Perhaps you might think about posting this in the bee keeping group here on SFN: http://www.survivefrance.com/group/the-hive