Category Archives: For Sale / Wanted

HAPPY SPRING EQUINOX!

Bee Package Pickup is TOMORROW 3/21/23 at 1:00 pm (**give or take) at the KDH Stackem High! 1225 S Croatan Hwy, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Don Babin is picking up and dropping them off, as we only have a small number of people who ordered for tomorrow from Sapony.

**Don will notify me of a more accurate timeframe when hes picked them up and is heading back, which I will text with everyone if it changes from 1pm.

Thank You to Nick Kiousis & Don Babin!!

Ive held off scheduling a meeting for Wednesday this week as people may need help with Package installation & current Hive consolidation… We will absolutely be making them up!

And if you’ve been delayed… 

Start Feeding your 1:1 Sugar Syrup on your hives!!

Picking Up List:

Harvey Murray – 3 Marked Packages from Sapony 3/21

Chris Fischer – 1 Marked Package from Sapony 3/21

Charlotte Hester – 2 Marked Packahges from Sapony 3/21

**Please notify me immediately if I dont have you on the list!

NUC Pickup List:

Leslie – 2 Nucs from Nadeau Farms 

FOR SALE: 

Swarm Traps & DIY Equipment – Contact Robert Lotze in Duck 804-475-9365. Some traps in Stock, any other equipment about 2ish weeks out. 

Thomas Dotson 252-217-8628 is selling an overwintered Hive with a local queen in a 2 x 8 frame Medium Box Hive. 

State Meetings:

Summer 2023, Blue Ridge Community College, Flat Rock, NC • July 13-15

Spring 2024, New Bern Waterfront Convention Center, New Bern, NC • March 7-9

The Born and Bred queen rearing workshop is back in 2023! The workshop is a program offered by the NCSBA to instruct beekeepers on the complete process of queen rearing. Join us for a full day of queen rearing instruction, demonstration and hands-on practice. The specialized cell building and mating colonies required for queen rearing will be set-up on site. Grafting instruction will be hands-on with live honey bee larvae. The workshop will be held on Saturday, April 22 at the Pitt County Extension Center in Greenville, NC. Register soon because space for this popular workshop is limited!

Born and Bred Queen Rearing

Professorship FUNDRAISING:

NCSU Endowed Professorship

Let me know if theres any questions or if  you have Ordered anything from Sapony for the other dates… we currently have Heidi picking them up on April 15th & no one for the April 19th 2nd Package pick up.

LET ME KNOW if anyone has ordered packages from that date and is willing to pick up others. 

Happy Spring,

Dalton Hyde

919-260-3265

NO MEETING TONIGHT

NO MEETING TONIGHT

I was planning to hold one tonight but upon returning from a trip, I don’t have everything together. 
I apologize immensely for the last-minute notice.

We will reschedule this meeting for the following available dates at the library.

ORDER Packages/ Nucs if you still need them! 

Bee Supplier Pickup Dates:

Etienne Nadeau – Nadeau Farms Elizabeth City: Last Week of April (local nucs)

Hands on Beekeepers: Late April & May (local Nucs)

Sapony Creek in Rocky Mount: ***Heidi Leo is willing to pick up for this supplier FIRST NUC Pickup DATE – APRIL 15th….
3 lb Packages – First pickup date is Tuesday, March 21st & then April 19th.

If anyone is picking up packages on the other dates and is willing to pick up others, please let me know.

James Wierman at 8 Veterans Farms: 
Pickup is at 101 Sweetgum Ct Maple, NC 27956 Starting April 26th by appointment.

Bailey Bees in Hillsborough, NC:  Pickups on two weekends } 3/23-24 and 3/30-31.  

Birdneck Bees: No packages, ONLY Nucs. Pickup is in mid-April at Greenbrier Farms in Chesapeake. Nucs are $240, overwintered in SC. They may be ready for pickup around 4/15. 


I only have a handful of Bee orders so if you’ve ordered, please NOTIFY ME!

Keep an eye out for emails regarding Bee Packages & Nuc Pick Up Info along with the info about an Intermediate BEES Academy being held by the Currituck County Extension Center on October 27 & 28th, 2023!


GROUP PICKUP:
IF you are interested, PLEASE reply to this email or text Dalton with where you purchased from and I will add you to the list on my phone, if enough people purchase from one place, we’ll see if someone from that group is willing to pick up for others. If not, you’ll want to work out pick-up with the supplier!

If anyone is willing to pick up other orders from a supplier, please let me know by email or phone!

Any questions, let me know!

-Dalton Hyde
919-260-3265

2023 Bee Suppliers

In need of Bees this year?!

We will have a meeting THIS WEEK to discuss bee suppliers, orders, package & Nuc installation, swarm catching & hive splits…

DATE: Wednesday, January 25th, 2023

WHERE: Kill Devil Hills Library, 400 Mustian St, KDH 27948.

WHEN: 7:00 PM – Arrive at 6:30 p.m. to socialize/help set up chairs, meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. Library locks the front door at 5:00, so follow the sidewalk around the left of the building to the back door.

Bee Suppliers for 2023…

Everyone’s dates are dependent on the weather and all had pricing info and how to order on their sites, so check them out.

Hands on Beekeepers: 
Only Nucs! All info is on the website. Deep and medium nucs, locally raised in SE Virginia, and choose between a VHS F1 queen OR Carniolan/Italian open-mated queen. 
Range from $225-235 each. 

https://hands-on-beekeepers.square.site/  

http://handsonbeekeepers.com / (757)-408-5201

Sapony Creek in Rocky Mount: 
3 lb Packages – First pickup date is Tuesday March 21st & then April 19th.
$130 Unmarked Queen
$135 Marked Queen 

5Frame Nucs – Pickup sometime Mid-April
$188 Unmarked Queen
$193 Marked Queen. 

http://saponycreekapiaries.com / (252)-904-1446.

James Wierman at 8 Veterans Farms: 
Pickup is at 101 Sweetgum Ct Maple, NC 27956 – Starting April 26th by appointment.  

$135 for 3 lb. packages and he will have Nucs as they are ready in the spring $185 for 5-frames.

https://my-site-106938-104782.square.site/s/shop / (757)-354-1412

Bailey Bees in Hillsborough, NC:  
Pickups on two weekends } 3/23-24 and also 3/30-31.  

3lb Packages are $140.
Nucs are $200. They will call with the Pickup date.  

https://shop.baileybeesupply.com/ / (919)-241-4236

Birdneck Bees:
No packages, ONLY Nucs. 
Pickup is mid-April at Greenbrier Farms in Chesapeake. 

Nucs are $240, overwintered in SC. May be ready for pickup around 4/15. 

https://ncvabeenucs.com/?product=5-frame-bee-nuc / (757)-641-4433


GROUP PICKUP:
IF you are interested, PLEASE reply to this email or text Dalton with where you purchased from and I will add you to the list on my phone, if enough people buy from one place, we’ll see if someone from that group is willing to pick up for others. If not, you’ll want to work out pick-up with the supplier!

If anyone is willing to pick up other orders from a supplier, please let me know by email or phone.

Any questions, let me know!

-Dalton Hyde
919-260-3265

Please Read Carefully…   


REMINDERS:
DONT FORGET about those hives you currently have!
If you haven’t already, get out and check those hives the next warm day to ensure they have the honey/nectar/stores to survive spring. 
IF NOT –  make some 1:1 Sugar Syrup & FEED those bees!

Renew your membership with the NC State Beekeepers Association yet?!
Neither did I, so I went over to https://www.ncbeekeepers.org/membership/join-or-renew-now and got it done.

The Outer Banks Beekeepers Guild will not be asking for membership fees in 2022. COVID restrictions on our local public buildings are still preventing monthly gatherings. Alternative sites are being sought. Please suggest any ideas you may have. 

NCSBA 2022 Conference
https://www.ncbeekeepers.org/calendar/state-meetings/2022-spring-meeting 
Others are going! If seeking a group, post on our FB page or reply to this email. 

In need of Bees this year?!
Apologies this wasn’t compiled and sent out sooner, but here’s who we checked in with…

Everyone’s dates were dependent on weather and all had pricing info and how to order on their sites:

Hands on Beekeepers – Only Nucs! Maybe late April or early May, all info is on the website. Deep and medium nucs, locally raised in SE Virginia. VHS F1 queens are $20 more in a package if you want, or you get a Carniolan/Italian open-mated queen otherwise. (awesome)
http://handsonbeekeepers.com, (757)-408-5201

Sapony Creek in Rocky Mount – Package pickup 3/22 ($135) and nucs ($193) in mid-April.
http://saponycreekapiaries.com, (252)-904-1446.

James Wierman at 8 Veterans Farms: April 24 pickup at Currituck Extension Office from 11 am – 1 pm.  $125 for 3 lb. packages and he will have nucs as they are ready in the spring $175 for 5-frames.
(757)-354-1412.

Bailey Bees in Hillsborough, NC:  Pickups on two weekends } 3/24-25 and also 3/31-4/1.  $135 with a marked queen.
http://baileybeesupply.com  (919)-241-4236

Birdneck Bees: Pickup is mid-April at Greenbrier Farms in Chesapeake.  Nucs only, $242, raised in SC.  May be ready around 4/15. (757)-718-3581

GROUP PICKUP:
IF you are interested, PLEASE reply to this email or text Dalton with where you purchased from and I will add you to the list on my phone, if enough people purchase from one place, we’ll see if someone from that group is willing to pick up for others. If not, you’ll want to work out pick-up with the supplier!

If anyone is willing to pick up others orders from a supplier, please let me know by email or phone!

I hope everyone & their hives are doing well!

-Dalton Hyde 
OBBG President

Jan/Feb New Year Catch Up! – Meetings, Hive Checks, & Packages!

Hello & Happy New Year!

I know we have been thrown off for a while due to Covid, but we are working to get some ideas flowing and hopefully some solutions for some of our logistical issues.

At this time we have not determined another location for hosting our monthly meetings. I only received a handful of replies (Thank you to those that did!) from last September regarding these issues, so I await further feedback.

First on the Docket – Early Spring Hive Checks & Feeding!

As spring creeps in and brings us warmer days, take the time to check your hives!! It’s common for hives to make it through winter only to starve before plants bud out… So get in there on any day above 50 degrees, see what resources they may have, & if they are depleted, get some feed on them asap!

While sugar syrup 1:1 works well above 50 degree nights, sometimes fondant/dry sugar that’s made wet is better for nights cooler than 50. Regardless, ANY kind or amount of feed is going to be helpful to them coming out of winter. 

Next up – Packages!

ORDER ASAP!
Yet keep in mind – Swarm Season is around the corner and its always a great chance for some literal “FREE BEE’s”!!!

Below is info regarding some of the different suppliers members have used in the past, although we all have predominantly used Sapony Creek. That’s historically been the supplier we worked out group pick up with, which I expect to attempt again this year. 

I have heard from one person – Myia Thompson, who has volunteered to pick up additional orders for others. 

IF YOU NEED HELP Picking up your package/Nuc/order, YOU MUST inform not only Sapony Creek but also Myself (Dalton), and I will confirm with Myia/Driver about their pick up list.

Please remember… At pickup time, a donation toward the driver’s gas & time is always welcome! 
(If you have purchased through other suppliers yourself and can pick up orders for others, please let Dalton know as soon as possible to spread the word.)

NOTE! DIFFERENT SUPPLIERS HAVE THEIR OWN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS & PICKUP DATES!  Also, please remember suppliers pre-order a limited number of packages, so if you plan to get bees, the sooner you order, the better, lest they run out.

PACKAGE & NUC OFFERINGS:

Sapony Creek Apiaries, Dave Bradley, 6154 West Mount Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27803  

Phone: 252-904-1446

Pickup dates are currently scheduled for Tuesday, March 30th & Tuesday, April 20th. Please note that these dates are subject to change based on weather conditions at the supplier level.

If you call Dave to place an order, be sure to let him know you are with the “Outer Banks/OBX Order,” then also contact Dalton to let the Group Driver know you are on the pickup list. 

We will strive to identify a rendezvous spot where you can collect your packages that is convenient, it will be determined as time draws closer.

Also, Dave has a store there with bee supplies at the ready: http://www.saponycreekapiaries.com 

Packages:
Unmarked Packages $125.00
Marked Packages $130.00

Nucs:
Unmarked 5-Frame $188.00
Marked 5-Frame $193.00

Queens:
Unmarked Mated Queens: $30.00
Marked Mated Queens: $35.00

They will start taking orders until our dates sell out!
 
Bailey Bee Supply, 147 Boone Square Street, Hillsborough, NC 27278

Email: info@baileybeesupply.com

Phone: 919-241-4236

Offering Italian Packages & Nucs this season!

Package Pickup in Hillsborough- April 1/2 & April 22/ 23.
Nuc’s pickup set for early May.

https://shop.baileybeesupply.com/  

Packages:
$135.00 Packages with a Marked Queen

Nucs:
$190 Unmarked Nuc
$195 Marked Nuc

**Bailey’s also offers equipment for any last-minute needs, in addition to offering Queens through the season!

8 Veteran Farms, James Wierman, Maple, NC 

Email: 8veteransfarms@gmail.com 

Phone: 757-354-1421 

https://www.facebook.com/8veteransfarms  

Offering Packages & Nucs this season!

Packages:
$125 Marked Package 

Nucs:
$175 5-Frame Nuc

**If ordering online; Please include Full Name, Email, & Phone #!

NUC’s (NUCLEUS) HIVES ONLY:

Birdneck Bees – http://ncvabeenucs.com/  

Email – info@ncvabeenucs.com

Phone: Sharon Tanner (757)-718-3581 OR Ann Baker (757)-641-4433

Overwintered Nucs available for the price of $230 for 5 deep frame Nucs. Pickup will be April 16th/17th at Greenbrier Farms in Chesapeake (near the state line).  If you place an order with them and would offer to pick up for others, please let Dalton know.


The following links are regarding bee suppliers from our state or nearby chapters…

This link is VERY useful from the NC Dept. of Ag regarding all things apiary in our state: http://www.ncagr.gov/plantindustry/Plant/apiary/index.htm 

On that page you will also find a “List of Dealers Authorized to Sell Bees in NC,” and you are welcome to contact any of those suppliers to order and pick up your own bees. Out-of-state suppliers are shown at the bottom of that list.

The Beekeepers Guild of Southeastern Virginia lists several suppliers of nucs on their website:
https://beekeepersguild.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89&Itemid=131

Denise & I will be helping put on a Zoom Event for the Dare County Library on April 14th, 2021. More details to come!

Any Questions/Concerns, please feel free to reach out… Dalton Hyde (President) 919-260-3265 or Denise Deacon (Past President) 252-722-3118.

-Dalton Hyde
OBBG President

April’s Email in Lieu of meeting – Splits!

Hive Splits… How, When, & Why?


But First… How about this Swarm Season?!
Between Beverly Owens, Gunther Heyder, Ed Sanders, Anne Evans, Denise Deacon, & myself – We’ve clocked 10+ in the past week alone, with two more yesterday! I will be sending out an email about Swarms in the coming week, that maps out some useful details. 


Below is a simple overview of Splitting Hives. I’ve included the links towards the end for more in-depth reading, as well as some useful photos of frame configuration when making splits.

What is a Split…
“It is a simple process of taking 1 honey bee colony with a large population and dividing it into 2 or even 3 complete smaller bee families.

When done properly, both “halves” of the colony will grow into productive beehives.

Splitting a hive is relatively easy to do but you have some important things to consider first. This is an activity most often approached by a 2nd-year beekeeper and beyond.”
 
When should I Split… 
Early to Late Spring.
 
Aim to split your hive if they are large and healthy BEFORE they make swarm cells, if too late- split well before they cap the swarm cells, making sure the original queen is in hive without any swarm cells.
 
I’ve also heard of end-of-summer splits specifically as a mite treatment… Once I compile my notes on this, I will share.
 
How to Split…
These are just individual concepts more so than a particular split.
 
An even split. The concept is that the results will be two somewhat equal hives as a result. You take half of everything and divide it up. If you face both of new hives at the sides of the old hive so the returning bees aren’t sure which one to come back to. In a week or so, swap places to equalize the drift to the one with the queen.
 
A walk away split. The concept here is just that you don’t add a queen, you let the queenless colony raise a new one. Make your split but don’t add a queen anywhere. Do something to make up for drift. Usually I shake in some extra nurse bees (making sure you don’t get the queen), put the lid on and walk away. Come back in four weeks and see if the queen is laying.
 
Flyback split. This is a new term I’ve only seen in since about 2018. The concept is simply that you do a split and the foragers all fly back to the old location.
 
Swarm control split.
Ideally, you want to prevent swarming and not have to split. But if there are queen cells I usually put every frame with any queen cells in its own nuc with a frame of honey and let them rear a queen. This usually relieves the pressure to swarm and gives me very nice queens. But even better, put the old queen in a nuc with a frame of brood and a frame of honey and leave one frame with queen cells at the old hive to simulate a swarm. Many bees are now gone and so is the old queen. Some people do other kinds of splits (even walk away etc.) in order to prevent swarming. I think it’s better to just keep the brood nest open.
 
A cut down split.
The concepts of a cut down are that you free up bees to forage because they have no brood to care for, and you crowd the bees up into the supers to maximize them drawing comb and foraging. This is especially useful for comb honey production and more so for cassette comb honey production but will produce more honey regardless of the kind of honey you wish to produce.
 
Benefits of Splits…
Swarm Prevention – makes them think they’ve swarmed
Varroa Treatment – Breaks brood cycle
Creates More Hives – one hive can become 2 or even 3
Creates New Queens – fresh queen with local genetics

https://www.perfectbee.com/a-healthy-beehive/inspecting-your-hive/splitting-a-hive 

https://www.honeybeesuite.com/how-to-make-a-split/ 

http://www.bushfarms.com/beessplits.htm 

https://carolinahoneybees.com/how-to-split-a-beehive/ 

https://lowtechinstitute.org/2017/03/07/bee-report-2017-management-plan-for-honey-and-splits/ 

https://www.keepingbackyardbees.com/split-pros-and-cons/?newsletter=053019&spot=headline&utm_source=wcemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=KBB%20eNews%2005.30.19&utm_term=KBB_eNewsAll%20Subscribers&_wcsid=34ADA6BC847C0809FB9C61EAF79691A15AEB35C895D06146 

https://www.keepingbackyardbees.com/the-backyard-buzz-the-70-swarm-rule/?newsletter=053019&spot=headline&utm_source=wcemail&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=KBB%20eNews%2005.30.19&utm_term=KBB_eNewsAll%20Subscribers&_wcsid=34ADA6BC847C0809FB9C61EAF79691A15AEB35C895D06146 

Split Practice:
A great way to practice and something I think would be great for everyone to have is a Resource Hive. Whether it’s a complete hive or just a Nuc setup, having a hive that you can pull a queen from in an emergency, resources such as pollen/nectar, or fresh eggs –  Resource Hives are invaluable!

If anyone would like assistance with making splits, reach out to myself or anyone you’ve sought help from before. Once you split a hive, you catch on quick. I’ve split two hives myself, & helped a handful of people do so this year already. 

Honey Inquiry?!: If you have Honey available for sale, reply to this email! I & others have been getting requests. To those who have already informed me of their availability – I have forwarded that info. 

Wishing everyone healthy hives & lives!

-Dalton Hyde
2020 OBBG President