Starting a honey bee colony requires securing a healthy population and understanding the different formats in which bees are sold. New beekeepers must navigate a unique purchasing process, often involving pre-ordering months in advance for spring delivery. This guide covers the options for acquiring bees and the necessary preparations for their new home.
Understanding Bee Purchase Formats
The most common option for new beekeepers is the package bee, which consists of a screened wooden box containing roughly three pounds of loose worker bees and a mated queen bee in a separate small cage. Package bees are the most economical choice and are readily available from commercial breeders, often shipped long distances through the mail. Because the worker bees are not related to the queen and have no established comb, the colony must start entirely from scratch, making their initial buildup slower and requiring consistent feeding.
A nucleus colony, or nuc, offers a faster start because it is essentially a miniature, functioning hive. A nuc typically includes four to five frames containing established comb, honey and pollen stores, and all stages of brood with an actively laying queen. The bees in a nuc are genetically related and are less stressed by the move, leading to a lower failure rate compared to a package. Nucleus colonies are generally more expensive and require local pickup, but they offer a substantial head start for new beekeepers.
Mated queens are usually purchased separately to replace a failing queen in an existing hive or to establish a new colony from a split or swarm. A mated queen is already fertilized and can begin laying eggs immediately upon acceptance by the colony. While a queen is the genetic heart of the hive, purchasing her alone is not recommended for beginners establishing a first hive, as the colony needs sufficient worker bees and resources to survive.
Sourcing and Selecting a Supplier
The purchase location depends on the format chosen. Package bees are frequently sourced from large, commercial breeders specializing in mass production and shipping. Nucleus colonies are typically acquired from local beekeepers, regional apiaries, or beekeeping clubs. Local suppliers offer the advantage of bees already acclimated to the regional climate and forage, which can improve their overwintering success.
Selecting the right bee genetics is important. Common breeds include the gentle and prolific Italian bees, or the hardy Carniolan bees known for strong overwintering ability. Many beekeepers now seek bees with the Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) trait. This genetic characteristic allows worker bees to detect and remove Varroa destructor mites from capped brood cells. This natural defense mechanism reduces the mite population and confers resistance to diseases like chalkbrood, leading to a healthier colony with less reliance on chemical treatments.
When vetting a supplier, always request a formal Health Certificate or similar documentation. This official paperwork, often issued by a state or county agricultural inspector, confirms the bees have been inspected and are free from serious pests and diseases, such as American foulbrood. Acquiring uncertified bees risks introducing pathogens that could devastate your new hive and spread to other colonies.
Essential Steps After Ordering
The bee ordering timeline typically requires placing an order in the late fall or early winter months, well before the spring delivery date. Most suppliers, especially those offering nucs, sell out quickly, so securing your order in November or December is necessary to ensure a delivery slot in April or May. This early purchase allows ample time to complete all preparatory steps before the bees arrive.
Hive preparation must be finished before the delivery date to reduce stress on the newly installed bees. All woodenware, including the bottom board, hive bodies, and frames, must be fully assembled, painted, and allowed to air out. The hive location should be finalized, choosing a spot with good morning sunlight and protection from strong winds, and ensuring a clean water source is accessible nearby.
Upon receiving your bees, installation must happen quickly, usually on the same day, by gently shaking package bees into the prepared hive or transferring the frames of a nuc. New colonies require immediate supplemental feeding with a one-to-one sugar syrup to encourage comb building and sustain their population until they can forage effectively. Before installation, you must check local regulations, as many municipalities have ordinances governing beekeeping, including limits on the number of hives per property, required setbacks from property lines, or mandatory registration.