Honey Bees

Where to get Bees

Local Pick Up – Order from a local supplier and pick up your bees in person.

Mail order – Have bees shipped to you from a nationwide supplier.

Split a Hive – Other beekeepers may occasionally need to split a hive to prevent swarming. In this case, you and the other beekeeper both benefit!

Catch a Swarm – Free bees! Usually done by an experienced beekeeper.

I started with two hives. This way you can have some basis for comparison when inspecting your hives.

Choosing a Subspecies

There are several subspecies of Apis mellifera, and availability may vary depending on where you live. Keep in mind that each individual hive has its own personality, and that these descriptions are pretty broad generalizations. For example, Carniolans are typically more “gentle” and Russian bees are typically more “aggressive,” but you could still end up with a Carniolan hive that is meaner than your Russian hive. Russian bees are known for their hardiness, but they might not survive your first year even though your Carniolans did. Below are three of the most common subspecies I see available in the Midwest US.

Carniolans

Apis mellifera carnica

Dark, almost gray colored

Good mite resistance

Gentle temperament

Overwinters well

A "well-rounded" choice.
Well-suited to the Midwest.

Russians

Apis mellifera artemisia

Dark brown to black colored

Excellent mite resistance

Can be aggressive

Overwinters well

Very hardy, but can be aggressive.
Well-suited to the Midwest.

Italians

Apis mellifera ligustica

Yellow or golden colored

More susceptible to mites

Very gentle temperament

Struggles in areas with long, harsh winters

The most popular bee in North America, but best suited to the Southern US.

Choosing Package vs Nuc

What is a Package?

A package is a 2lb or 3lb screened box of bees. The queen will be in a cage within the package and the bees will also have a can of feed.

Click here to read about installing package bees.

What is a Nuc?

A nucleus, or “Nuc,” (pronounced “nuke”) is a 5-frame mini hive. When you buy your bees you are also getting frames filled with brood and food. Sometimes one frame will be empty to allow for growth. You just make space in your hive and place the nuc frames inside.

Pros of a package: Less expensive than nucs. You’re less likely to transfer disease into your hive because you are not taking comb from the breeder’s hive and placing it into your own.

Cons of a package: Takes more time to build up the colony. After installation, the workers must draw out comb, the queen lays eggs, and then it’s 21 days before any additional workers emerge.

Pros of a nuc: Already have brood in different stages of development, so you will have new bees emerging and getting to work right away. The hive grows quickly and can get to work making honey.

Cons of a nuc: Typically more expensive than package bees. There is also a higher risk that a nuc can bring mites or spores into the hive, since you are introducing comb from the breeder’s hive.

Package Bees – Snippet from Penn State

Nuc – Snippet from Michigan State