Buying Package Bees

It’s always wonderful to begin your beekeeping experience or expand your apiary! Honey bees are one of the most crucial parts of your hive! When it comes to buying honey bees for the forthcoming season, you may have a lot of questions. Read our guide to find answers to the most common questions about buying package bees, nucs, and queens!

Package Bee Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of packaging will be used for the bees?

Bees will be transported in a special container developed exclusively for honey bee transit. The packaging is highly aired, and there is a food source in the form of a can of sugar syrup suspended from the package’s top.

What will be included in my bee package?

One mated queen bee in a cage with three pounds of worker bees

Is it usual for my queen to be kept in a cage with no attendants?

The queen is kept apart from the other bees in a cage. This makes it easier for the worker bees to accept the queen. The worker bees included in the package will look after her.

I’m not sure how I’m going to get my cargo bees home.

Bees can be carried inside a car or truck bed, where they are protected from the sun and wind. We do not advocate keeping package bees in a car trunk that is closed. These products should not be sealed in a container or box, nor should they be covered with blankets or other materials. Keep in mind that bees are live creatures.

Nucleus Bees Frequently Asked Questions

What is nuc and a package?

A nucleus hive is a partially developed colony. It will have 4-5 frames with drawn comb, a mated queen, A nucleus hive is a colony that has not yet fully formed. It will have 4-5 drawn comb frames, a mated queen, workers, brood and food stores (pollen and nectar). Three pounds of worker bees and a mated queen bee are included in each box of bees.

What exactly does a nuc entail?

A nuc contains 4-5 deep frames of drawn comb and is packaged in a styrofoam beehive. A mated queen, workers, brood and food storage are all included (pollen and nectar).

Is the queen going to be kept in a cage?

The queen will not be in a cage. Instead, she will be in the nuc laying eggs. Use caution when moving frames inThere will be no cage for the queen. Instead, she’ll be laying eggs in the nuc. When moving frames, be cautious.

Queen Bee Frequently Asked Questions

What method is used to transport queens?

Queens are transported in plastic queen cages with sugar to feed them. The cage(s) will be supplied in a ventilation-holed package.

Queens should be stored at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.

When the queen arrives, how should it be treated?

Upon arrival, inspect the queen. Put a little drop of water on the cage’s screen (twice a day if not immediately installed). If the queen is not put on the first day, keep her at room temperature and water her every day. The queen cage is not intended to be a permanent residence.

Is the queen going to be marked?

There will be no markings on queens. You can purchase marking tools separately and mark your queens.