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Cost of Renting Bees 



An orchardist should not be surprised to be charged $15 or 

 more for each colony moved to his orchard. The cost figure (1974) 

 will be quickly outdated. The orchardist is not doing the beekeeper 

 a favor by using his bees. Proper pollination requires planning 

 labor, equipment and time. In addition, it risks pesticide losses 

 to the beekeeper. Populous colonies are easily worth the price be- 

 cause they have 6-7 or more frames of brood. A beekeeper should 

 have a letter of contract specifying a penalty if the orchardist 

 sprays and kills his bees . In addition, a date when the bees are 

 to be removed should be specified (so the orchardist can continue 

 his spray program) . Many beekeepers no longer wish to pollinate 

 orchards because their bees have been needlessly killed in the past . 

 A penalty for pesticide loss in the orchard should equal the poten- 

 tial honey crop value for the year -- about $60 (1974) per colony. 



How Long Should Honey Bees Remain in the Orchard ? 



Bees can set a crop in two good flying days (temperature above 

 65 and partial sun) . Frequently, bees become accustomed to working 

 dandelion which blooms at about the same time as apple trees. For 

 best results , bring the bees into the orchard when there is early 

 partial bloom. When the bees leave their hives in the new location, 

 they begin work nearby first (in the orchard) and progressively work 

 further from their hives. "Late" move into the orchard helps insure 

 that bees will work in the orchard before they discover a more at- 

 tractive bloom up to two miles away (outside the orchard) . If there 

 is no significant competition, then there is no problem. Pay par- 

 ticular attention to this procedure when pollinating pears . Bees 

 prefer apple blossoms to pear blooms. After full bloom, bees should 

 be removed as soon as possible (from the orchardist' s standpoint). 



Where do I Find Populous Colonies for Rent ? 



There are plenty of beekeepers in New England. However, many 

 lack trucks to move their bees. The orchardist is advised to con- 

 tact the beekeepers in his area (beekeepers are registered with 

 town clerks) and work out an arrangement where he provides trucks 

 and help to move bees into and out of the orchard under direction 

 of the beekeeper. An agreement should describe how the parties will 

 provide equipment and labor to accomplish the job. A few hours in 

 an apiary can show an orchardist how to help move bees without dan- 

 ger. It is a matter of having and using proper protective equipment. 

 Some beekeepers provide complete pollination service. Be sure you 

 know what you are renting and specify the strength of each colony 

 rented as noted previously. Remember, overwintered colonies are 

 best if they are available and well worth the additional time and 

 trouble required to bring them to the orchard. 



Can an Orchard Block be Made to Yield it if Was Misplanted and Lacks 

 Proper Cross Pollination? 



