Updated on September 11th, 2022<\/p>\n
You decided to take up beekeeping. In addition to getting essential equipment, you need to get honey bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can buy bees for pick up from local beekeepers or distributors. Online suppliers will ship honey bees to you. You can trap a swarm to get free bees, though we do not recommend it for beginners. Reputable local beekeepers are the best source for honey bees. You can buy starter colonies or mated queens.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When buying your bees, you also need to decide if you want them in a \u201cbee package\u201d<\/strong> or a \u201cnucleus colony\u201d (a nuc, for short)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article discusses where to buy bees, things to consider when purchasing, cost estimates, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Choosing where to buy a colony of bees includes two other decisions: what type of bee you want and what format you wish to receive them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Western (aka European) honey bees are classified by \u201crace,\u201d which indicates certain traits and sources of origin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Common races available for purchase are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each race exhibits certain traits that make them more (or less) desirable to beekeepers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Italians are considered relatively gentle to work with. They breed well and are excellent foragers but may be more prone to robbing behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carniolan bee populations expand rapidly in the spring, and they overwinter well. However, Carniolans may be more likely to swarm than some other races.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, some suppliers breed hybrid bees intended to be more resistant to Varroa mite infestations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See our article about what kind of bees to buy<\/a><\/strong> for more information about these various options.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Starter colonies come in two formats: bee packages and nucleus colonies (or \u201cnucs\u201d).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bee packages come in screened boxes that include about 3 pounds of bees (approximately 10,000 mostly worker bees)<\/a> plus a caged queen. In addition, the package has a can of sugar syrup to feed the bees until you can install them in a hive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The queen remains caged for several days while the bees adapt to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See our article about how to install a bee package<\/a><\/strong> for more information.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n A package of bees is your least expensive option<\/strong>. Packages can be picked up locally or shipped to you, depending on the supplier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A nucleus colony is a mini hive that usually has five frames with bees and an accepted queen that has already been laying eggs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A nuc is available as a newly arranged \u201cspring\u201d nucleus hive or a more established \u201coverwintered\u201d nuc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nucs are more expensive than packages and are usually available later in the spring. However, they are easier to install, requiring only the transfer of frames and bees to the new hive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n See our article for more information about nucs<\/a><\/strong>. If it’s within your budget as a first year beekeeper, we recommend you get a nuc for ease of installation compared to installing a package of bees.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Online suppliers, local distributors, and local beekeepers sell honey bees. You can purchase enough bees to start a colony or get a mated queen to replace one of yours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our top preference among these types of suppliers is your local beekeeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buying bees locally has several benefits, especially when you first start beekeeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An experienced local beekeeper can be a valuable source of information and assistance,<\/strong> particularly as you first start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, we got our first bees from a local beekeeper. We met him at a beginner course he gave. During our first couple of years, we called on his beekeeping experience several times. (Maybe it helped that we also bought honey from him.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n You can get bees that are overwintered in your area<\/strong>. Winter colony losses are significant here in the northeast. Colonies that survive a winter in our area have a greater chance of surviving subsequent winters. The right genes mean a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Searching for a local bee supplier will introduce you to local beekeeping associations<\/strong>. Association members are another source of information and help. Meet other beekeepers with varied experience levels, and differing opinions, and maybe make some new friends while you\u2019re at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shipping is stressful for the bees. <\/strong>Lack of temperature controls in transit, and possible shipping delays create risks to the health of your bees, particularly the queen. However, with local bees, you just need to pick them up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shipping is a bigger problem in the age of Covid. Delays and backlogs are more common. So pick up your bees in person if possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cLocal\u201d can be a large area depending on where you live. If you\u2019re in an urban or suburban environment, there probably aren\u2019t many bee sellers nearby. So it pays to think in terms of \u201cregional.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some retailers receive large shipments of bees directly and distribute them locally. Orders may be taken online or at the retailer\u2019s location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This type of arrangement reduces the timing risks associated with individual bee shipments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Deliveries are scheduled in advance, and the supplier will notify you of when and where to pick up your bees. You may need to wait in line a bit, but at least your bees won\u2019t be sitting in some warehouse or on your doorstep for an extended period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be aware that getting bees from a local distributor may not mean that the bees were raised locally. Ask the distributor about the source of the bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you pick up your bees locally, consider a few things in transporting them home<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you get home:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Shipping is stressful for the bees and not recommended. However, if you cannot pick up bees locally, you can find shippers online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If buying online<\/strong>, keep a few things in mind when you shop:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only bee packages are available for shipping. If you want a nuc, you need to pick it up directly from the supplier.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Consider the following suppliers for bee packages, nucs, and queens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Betterbee<\/a> is one of our preferred places for buying bees<\/strong>. Unfortunately, their bee packages and nucs are available for pickup only in NYS. If they are within reasonable driving distance for you (as they are for us), I highly recommend them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mann Lake<\/a> is one of the country’s largest bee supply companies.<\/strong> They have a variety of different bees for pickup or shipping including Italian, Saskatraz, Carniolan, and Russian hybrids. Nucs are available for pickup in various locations around the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Olivarez Honey Bees<\/a> provides hybrid bees to a variety of distributors<\/a> and resellers (including Mann Lake). Bees ship to these locations ins climate-controlled trailers, reducing stress for the bees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Barnyard Bees<\/a> has packages and queens for shipping. Nucs can be picked up at their location in Chatsworth, GA. David at Barnyard Bees has a very informative channel on YouTube<\/a>. Barnyard Bees has a “super package” which is a set of packages with one queen. All those extra bees give a new hive a big jump start. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lappe\u2019s Bee Supply<\/a> ships bee packages and queens including Russian hybrid, Cordovan, Carniolan, Italian, and Saskatraz. Nucs are available for pickup only at their Iowa location.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOptions When Buying Bees<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Types Of Bees<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Different Formats \u2013 Bee Packages Vs. Nucleus Colonies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bee Packages<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Nucleus Colonies<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Where To Buy Bees?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Buy Bees From Local Beekeepers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Buy Bees Locally From A Distributor<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Getting Your Bees Home<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Buy Honey Bees Shipped From An Online Supplier<\/h2>\n\n\n\n