When you're considering new bee tenants you should consider the following before you let them take up residence!

• Are they hardy?
• Are they healthy?
• Are they vigorous?
• Are they from local stock? 

Native Bees

The native black bee is relegated to a few areas in the country.  It has a reputation amongst some for being aggressive. The Co-op has donated money to Sussex University who eventually will produce a less aggressive black bee, which will provide higher honey yields than it does at present.   What the black bee may lack in the niceties of polite society, it has one very desirable quality - a strong immune system.  It can also withstand better the vagaries of our climate.   It is one tough bee!

Whilst research into breeding out the less desirable characteristics of the native bee will take some time - there are many local hybrids that don't exhibit the worst character traits!