![]() ![]() Egg-laying efficiency is vital to colony survival successful brood is needed to replace worker bees, which live only up to six weeks 4. Unlike worker bees, queen bees can live 5-6 years, however her egg-laying efficiency declines drastically in the later years 4. ![]() ![]() Prices for packaged bees from Urban Bee Supplies (2012) in Vancouver are $177 and a 4-framed nuc costs $170.00. Beekeepers will commonly purchase bees from other beekeepers so there is a wide price range. A nuc refers to a small hive, one super or box with 2-5 frames, containing bees, including a queen and brood, and food/honey (Mussen, 1994). Packaged bees normally exist in 1 or 1.5kg packages, containing approximately 800 bees, respectively 4. *Based on prices from Two Bees Apiary (North Vancouver), Urban Bee Suppliers (Vancouver) and Bees ‘n Glass Vancouver Island Apiary Supply (Vancouver Island).Ī new beekeeper can obtain bees in one of two ways: as packaged bees or as nucs. Without foundation:$1.10- 1.35 *foundation sold separately at $1.15-3.25 Price Ranges for Langstroth Hive Components. The hive does have some metal parts iron or aluminum is commonly used for frame rests and at times to form a protective layer on the top cover 2. Plastic frames are increasingly used as they are durable, reusable, easier to manufacture and assist in disease control 2,3. Queen excluders, as well as frames and their foundations, can be either wood or plastic 3. Wood required for the hive includes plywood for the top cover and bottom board as it is more resistant to changes in temperature and moisture conditions, and pine or cedar for nearly all other hive components, presumably because of its less-processed nature 2. When building hives in this manner, it is important to follow standard measurement guides to maintain management flexibility (equipment easily replaced and interchangeable) and resale value 2. However, small-scale beekeepers, like the LFSOG, commonly gather their own scrap materials and use their woodworking skills to construct hives at a lesser cost. With purchased materials, 3- super hives can be constructed at an approximate cost ranging from $180 – $280. (Note hive stands are rarely purchased as nearly any flat surface can be used therefore they are not included in the table). A list of price ranges for each hive component was collected from three BC suppliers and can be found in Table 1. Alternatively, hive components can be purchased individually. In BC, unassembled 3- super hive kits, including nails for construction and the aforementioned components, except a queen excluder and hive stand, can be purchased for $245 1. Primarily made from wood, these hives consists of the following components: top cover, inner cover, varying number of supers with several internal comb frames, often a queen excluder (especially if planning to harvesting honey), bottom board, and hive stand (Figure 1). Langstroth hives have become the standard beekeeping hives in North America. Maintenance costs(link to or leave sentence out altogether?) involve prevention and possibly treatment methods of various diseases/pests as well as supplemental feed if necessary. Initial costs include hive materials, including the bees, and personal equipment such as clothing and tools. Beekeeping is a relatively inexpensive agricultural practice.
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