Bees for Sale

Package bees and nucs are typically available from early spring (March/April) through early summer (June). Availability depends on weather and colony strength. We recommend reaching out early as demand is high and supplies are limited.

A nucleus colony (nuc) is a small, established colony with a laying queen, brood, nurse bees, and drawn comb - essentially a mini functioning hive. A package is 3 lbs of bees with a newly mated queen in a cage, but no comb or brood. Nucs establish faster but cost more.

While beginners can certainly start with our bees, we recommend taking a beekeeping class first and having your equipment ready before pickup. We're happy to answer questions and provide guidance to help new beekeepers succeed.

At minimum you'll need: a hive (Langstroth is most common), protective gear (veil, gloves, suit), a smoker, and a hive tool. For nucs, you'll also need frames ready to receive the nuc frames. We can provide recommendations.

We do not ship bees. All bee sales are local pickup only from El Dorado Hills. This ensures the bees arrive in the best possible condition and allows us to answer any questions you have at pickup.

Our bees are primarily Italian honey bees, known for their gentleness, good honey production, and suitability for California's climate. Some colonies may have Carniolan influence for added winter hardiness.