The Bashkir breed of bees is considered one of the best types of dark insects. They received the greatest distribution in the European countries. Usually they settle on the heights in Russia. The name of the bees originates from the area where they are most often found.
Distinctive features
What makes the Bashkir bee so stand out? The features of this species are that insects prefer to collect pollen from medicinal plants. The result is honey of the highest quality. In addition, this species has its own anatomical features. Insects of this species belong to Central Russian bees. In its pure form, the breed was preserved in certain areas of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The largest population is registered in the Shulgan-Tash nature reserve. Bees are kept in artificial hollows or on the sides. They can also live in beehives in apiaries.
Description
Let's dwell on this in more detail. The breed has a number of biological features. The bee has a dark gray body with no signs of yellow color. Usually individuals are quite large in size. Their proboscis is short and does not exceed 5.6 mm in size. Photos of the Bashkir bee clearly demonstrate all these features.
Insects of this species are extremely sensitive to weather conditions. Their performance directly depends on the ambient temperature. The first time they begin to fly around the surrounding area when the air warms up to 7 degrees.
The Bashkir bead is very sensitive to weather changes. In the rain, individuals may even return to the hive. In extreme heat, the bees are able not to leave their homes at all. They can perfectly predict the weather, so beekeepers prefer to closely monitor the behavior of these insects.
Operability
This issue should be given special attention. How productive are Bashkir bees? Reviews from experienced beekeepers confirm that insects can work 17 hours a day. They like to collect nectar from buckwheat and linden, both from cultivated and wild plants. Honey is quite attractive in appearance.
With intensive work, the Bashkir bee is able to collect a large amount of product. However, compared with other bees, it takes quite a while to get used to new honey plants. Insects tolerate winter time normally, you only need to provide them with a small amount of food.
The Bashkir bee starts its working day at 5 in the morning. Flyby can last until 10 pm. Particularly abundant bees collect nectar from monoflora honey collection. The insects discussed are capable of accumulating quite a lot of product in a short time. They build quite large cells with capacious and high-quality cells. This is due to their own dimensions. Bees also produce high-quality propolis. The mother liquors, in comparison with the southern rocks, have rather thick walls. The insect is very industrious, which is why beekeepers especially love this breed.
disadvantages
But not everything is as rosy as it might seem at first glance. Sometimes the Bashkir bee behaves quite aggressively. Individuals are extremely disliked when smoke is used to test hives. They can hide in the very depths of the hive. The uterus is quite difficult to replace with a new one. Bees are very much attached to the head of the family and by no means do not want to let her go. Therefore, to fully strengthen the bee family before winter will not work. Two uterus simply cannot exist in one hive. Work with Bashkir bees is necessary only in overalls. They are very loyal, and returning them to work is extremely difficult.
Honey differences
Today, many beekeepers prefer to go in for flight. It is believed that wild bee honey is much healthier, it contains more wax and bee bread. Within the framework of such a product will never work.
Bashkir bees give dark thick honey. This product is especially valuable because it contains a huge amount of nutrients. Collect it once a year. Honey does not contain harmful mixtures, has a pleasant aroma and astringent taste.
Rare view
Purebred Bashkir bees are extremely difficult to achieve. Uterus of this species can fly over a distance of more than 5 km and are fertilized far from the habitat. For this reason, the Bashkir bee is listed in the Red Book. Beekeepers in every way possible try to protect this species. For this purpose, the onboard system is used. This allows you to protect nests from pests, parasites and animals.
Beekeeper reviews
You should definitely listen to them. As experienced beekeepers say, the collection of honey by Bashkir bees is quite slow. Other breeds are able to be more active. However, when the Bashkir bee finds nectar, it aggressively drives away the remaining insects and begins to collect it as soon as possible.
With the onset of the honey collection season, the product may be filled in other hive bodies. At the same time, the nests remain dry all the time. You can safely grow brood there. In the process of evolution, Bashkir bees developed the ability to store honey at the top. This feature is very appreciated by beekeepers, as their task is greatly facilitated. Honey can be pumped out without frames. It will be enough only special store extensions.
Winter bees tolerate strong families. With a lack of space, honey can ruin an early brood. An important advantage of this breed is also high-quality propolis. Southern rocks often mix this product with asphalt resin and feed. Perga Bashkir bees are harvested in large quantities. They are not prone to theft. This defect was not noticed in this breed even in the cold season. Working with them is quite simple.
As for the protective functions, the Bashkir bee is not able to protect its own nest. Other breeds often ruin them. However, when the beekeeper tries to inspect the nest with smoke, the insect can become very aggressive and restless. The bee immediately tries to fly in the direction of the world. Also, individuals can escape from the honeycombs down, hang on the frame or fall into the hive.
Uterus of Bashkir bees
What do you need to know about them? As mentioned earlier, two uterus of the Bashkir breed in one nest cannot exist. If during the inspection, an individual is visible on the honeycomb, which does not lay eggs, but simply constantly jumps from side to side and runs along the frame, then, most likely, it is going to leave the hive. With a prolonged absence of the uterus, the bees do not immediately turn into tromps. Silent change is not possible for this breed. Individuals are highly irritable and embittered. It is imperative that the beekeeper use a special protective suit when working in the apiary.
One of the most important stages of breeding is the regular replacement of old queens. We are talking about individuals of two years of age. When changing them, it is necessary to solve the problem of swarming. This is a feature that is precisely the Bashkir bee. The withdrawal of queens for this breed is quite difficult. Families with young individuals usually do not swarm. Highly productive strong families can only be obtained from thoroughbred queens. To obtain uniform indicators in bee colonies, it is important to observe the evenness of insects in fertility. This is precisely the main task of breeding and breeding. Only high-quality uterus can transmit good hereditary characteristics to offspring. Beekeepers need them primarily for reproduction and expansion of apiaries.
Swarming tendency
What you need to know about this? The Bashkir breed is highly loyal. At the same time in an apiary, 70% of individuals can immediately go into such a state. Swarm can be reduced by taking some measures in a timely manner. For example, experienced beekeepers recommend keeping insects in special large hives. It is also worthwhile to take care of the expansion of the nests in a timely manner. These methods make swarming moderate. As a rule, the Bashkir bee activates in the spring, during the flowering of maple. At this time, the weather can be cloudy and insects do not fly. It is quite difficult to work with the Bashkir breed because of such a tendency to swarm.
Conclusion
The Bashkir bee is especially appreciated by specialists for its resistance to winter and productivity. Insects produce the highest quality honey. Under all conditions, caring for this species is quite simple. However, this breed also has its drawbacks: Bashkir bees are aggressive and prone to swarming.