First, 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.
Below is info regarding some of the different suppliers members have used in the past, and if there is currently someone from the OBX planning to drive to each to pick up. Please remember… At pickup time, a donation toward the driver’s gas & time is always welcome! (If you have plans yourself and can pick up orders for others, please let Denise or Dalton know as soon as possible so 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.
PACKAGED BEES: First, Rick Coor, a supplier we have used in previous years, will NOT be doing packaged bees this year. Our closest supplier, and one who many members have had a good experience with in the past, is Dave Bradley:
Dave Bradley, Sapony Creek Apiaries, in Rocky Mount, NC, 252.904.1446
Two pickup dates, April 1 and May 4, both subject to change if supplier deems necessary.
$118 unmarked/$125 marked queen, also extra queens for $35 each, all Italian. To order, call and pay Dave directly. Guild member Kenny Brite has offered to drive out to pick up on the April 1(ish) date. So… If you call Dave to place order, be sure to let him know you are with the “Outer Banks/OBX Order,” then also call Kenny at 252.996.0432 to let him know you are on the pickup list. Also, Dave has a store there with bee supplies at the ready: http://www.saponycreekapiaries.com
(I have not confirmed with Kenny yet, but am assuming that rendezvous spot where you would collect your package would be the Whalebone Junction area, as Kenny then heads south to head home from there. To be determined as time draws closer.).
Back Forty Bees, Don Cole, 757.903.7816, delivers to upper Moyock, NC, April 12(ish)
$135 unmarked/$141 marked- having a Super Bowl Sunday sale where if you order that day, the price is $120.
NUCLEUS (NUC) HIVES:
Dalton Hyde will be picking up his nuc of Russian Bees in northern Virginia, anticipated time around Memorial Day. $200 each… to order: https://www.yourbeestore.com/bees/
More info about Russians: https://www.yourbeestore.com/the-russians-are-coming/
Bailey Bee Supply, Hillsborough, NC, 919.241.4236
Will have packaged bees from Georgia in addition to nucs at $185 – call to be put on the list.
Silver Spoon Apiaries in Wilmington, 910.352.7869 or 7868 (Barry), will have nucs available in March. $200 each, they put frames in your equipment that you bring with you. One Guild member got nucs there last year and they appeared to be of high quality.
The Beekeepers Guild of Southeastern Virginia lists several suppliers of nucs on their website, have not called any yet to check availability:
https://beekeepersguild.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=89&Itemid=131
Questions or concerns, contact President Dalton Hyde, 919.260.3265 or Denise Deacon, 252.722.3118.