Carpathian bees: reviews, photo, characteristics

Carpathian bees are one of the most popular breeds among Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian beekeepers. This version received good reviews, first of all, for high productivity, unpretentiousness and endurance. According to the main characteristics of the Carpathian bee resembles the Ukrainian.

How to distinguish from other varieties

The Carpathian bee is bred beekeepers from ancient times. When and how it was withdrawn, it is for certain unknown. Some scientists consider this bee as a branch of the carnica, others refer it to one of the varieties of the Ukrainian steppe. Undoubtedly only one thing - in the Carpathians these insects have been living for thousands of years. The most widespread breed was in the west of Ukraine, in the steppe and mountainous regions.

The gray color of the calf is what the Carpathian bee is primarily characterized by. The photo below shows her somewhat unusual appearance visually. In front of the abdomen of this bee there is a silvery fringe. The color of the uterus of the Carpathian rock can range from dark gray to cherry.

Good reviews of beekeepers this variety received, including for its long proboscis (6.2-7 mm), allowing to collect nectar even from beans. In size, this breed is slightly larger than the carp. 110 mg - about the same weight as a working adult Carpathian bee. The uterus of this species is also not too large. Its weight can reach 185-205 mg.

Features of behavior

According to most beekeepers, the Carpathian bee is one of the quietest and most gentle breeds of all, bred by man. During the various operations in the hive these insects show no aggression and nervousness. Most beekeepers do not even use smoke to perform such work.

In comparison with his relative, a carnica, also unusually popular, Carpathian bees are less inclined to swarming. Even in the absence of a bribe very early in the spring, when the young individuals are ready to harvest, the beekeeper usually does not have any problems. No special equipment is used when breeding a Carpathian bee. These insects are very unpretentious and independent. For successful breeding it is enough to observe the basic technologies of beekeeping and use the standard set of beekeeper tools.

Features of the honey collection

Willingness to start work early in the spring is one of the features that has won a great popularity among the Carpathian bee. Beekeepers consider its advantages and ability to collect a large amount of nectar from poor honey. Even on plants with a low sugar content, this bee does not decrease in productivity. Good results in terms of collection of nectar Carpathian variety shows in the summer, easily switching from one to other honey. The very seals of these bees are dry, pleasant light color.

Carpathian bee, a characteristic of productivity in which good, differs, however, some inclination to theft. This makes it difficult to examine families in a time-free period. Also, the minus of the variety is considered to be that insects practically do not work in bad weather.

Performance Indicators

According to the honey, according to the majority of beekeepers, this breed greatly exceeds many others. The average indicator of productivity is 40 kg from one family per year. At the same time honey of Carpathian bees has very good taste characteristics. In some particularly strong families with good bribes, the yield of the product can be 80 kg per year. Propolis these bees produce in a very small amount.

In this case, bees wax in a short period of time are able to do very much. As beekeepers note, honeycomb Carpathian bees build much faster than most other breeds.

Features of reproduction

Good reviews of beekeepers, this breed deserved, including for the ability to quickly replenish the family. The uterus of the Carpathian variety is able to postpone up to 1800-2000 eggs per day only. She does it, unlike many other breeds, very carefully. That is, distributes the eggs on the honeycombs evenly, without omissions. This greatly facilitates the care, since the bee-keeper does not need to rearrange the frame in the same way as, for example, it is recommended in the literature on beekeeping.

Carpathian bees: reviews of the breed

In addition to high productivity and peace, the advantages of this variety include beekeepers and its high winter hardiness. The Carpathian bee can carry very low temperatures without harm for itself in the cold season. Also, judging by the reviews of beekeepers, the plus of these insects is that they are absolutely not afraid of transportation.

Of course, a small propensity for swarming is also considered an advantage of the breed. Of course, this greatly facilitates the care of bees. During the season, no more than 2% of families from the whole apiary can swarm.

The ability to adapt quickly to changes in weather conditions is also something for which this breed has earned good reviews of beekeepers. Due to this feature, which is not very characteristic for bees in general, the carpathian breeding became possible not only in its native land, in Ukraine, but also in Belarus, Russia and other countries of the world.

In some localities, where there are no honey collectors, this variety is especially for pollination of vegetable crops in greenhouses. In this regard, judging by the reviews, Carpathian bees have also proved themselves very well, because they are active and, thanks to their long proboscis, the ability to pollinate flowers of any shape.

disadvantages

There are practically no minuses for this bee. To some of its shortcomings, apart from the propensity to steal, the beekeepers are attributed only to the fact that it is incapable of independently combating the wax moth. Beekeepers have to closely monitor the hives and, if necessary, take appropriate measures.

Despite winter hardiness of the breed, the majority of Russian beekeepers advise to breed this variety only in the southern regions of our country. Winter Carpathian bee tolerates well and productivity does not decrease even in a rather harsh climate. However, for example, in Siberia it becomes much more aggressive and roylier. In this case, the answer to the question of which carpathian or Central Russian bee is better is simple. Of course, for the cold regions of our country the second variant is more suitable.

Experienced beekeepers recommend to be extremely attentive when buying Carpathian families. The fact is that today there are a lot of fakes on the market. Of course, ordinary, not pedigree bees, such good indicators of productivity, as Carpathian, can not give.

In spring, during the activation of the young, swarming of these insects does not occur. However, instinct is an instinct, and sometimes such problems are given to beekeepers, including Carpathian bees. "Why are insects swarming?" - the answer to this question is simple. Either bees simply do not have enough space in the hive, and it needs to be expanded, or they are bred in a too cold, harsh climate.

Varieties of the Carpathians

Selective work with this breed in the farms of Prykarpattya is carried out constantly. In addition, in Ukraine, special protected areas are created, in which the import of other varieties of bees is prohibited. During the whole period of the breeding work, the breeders of this country have deduced 10 carpathian lines. At the moment, the best reviews of beekeepers deserve a grandchildren's variety.

Very good beekeepers are characterized and Maikop type of carp. The advantages of these bees include a very long proboscis and a high egg-laying capacity of the uterus.

How to deal with a wax moth

Carpathian bees are not very resistant to this disease. For beekeepers, the moth is perhaps the most evil enemy. After all, this is the only insect that can completely digest the wax and similar products. Female moths lay eggs in all the hive slots and in honeycombs. At the same time, they cover the entire bee brood with a dense spider web. As a result, the carpathians simply drop infected cells and start building new ones.

Fight wax moth with the help of special clamps. To scare off this pest from the hives it is possible, having spread around brooms from wormwood, mint and ledum. Prevent the spread of moths to other families is easy, digging around the infected beehive and filling it with water.

Thus, despite minor shortcomings, judging by the opinions of beekeepers, the Carpathian bee can be safely attributed to one of the best breeds to date. It is not difficult to breed these insects. According to the indices of the same honey, they are much superior to most other breeds. Determines the profitability of apiaries with Carpathian bees and a high rate of reproduction of insects.