Hey Klaery, thanks for your reply,
I'd love to give apis a go, however I prefer my husband alive
Otherwise they would've been the obviously easier option in my climate (not easier in other ways of course),
I am also trying to attract solitary bees, but strangely there doesn't seem to be many bees in this area, the more I've been taking notice the fewer I see.
It seems strange given my fruit trees/veges, as well as the neighbours and just general flowers in peoples gardens.
I've purchased my hive from one of the people you've mentioned, I won't 'name names' incase that upsets others in the industry, but it was after discussing potential solutions to the temperature.
I think spring is a good time to get them and have a chance to 'get it right' before the real weather extremes of summer or winter.
This gentleman in Melbourne is the successful case I mentioned with artificial heating and also supplemental feed. He is of course the exception rather than the rule, but with equal dedication I'm hoping I can replicate the positive results.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj6vZv6QHkOCb0v08ma_05HvM_YB8Kq9O
I've read all the information online and purchased some books from the bee association, so I guess the rest is good planning and luck beyond that.
Your bee photos are lovely; aren't they charming!
Not so charming is the wasp fly
unfortunately beautiful given what it does to hives.
One thing I can't find information on beyond an initial hive split (keeping them apart then), and will likely find an answer in the books when they arrive later in the week,
but how many hives can you keep in a relatively close proximity?
On the natives vs Apis topic,
perhaps it's because the natives can feed on flowers Apis can't as they're too big, so there's always a supply of food that can't be taken from them?
Thanks for your input again everyone