Start Your Hive with a Package of Honey Bees from Mann Lake
Start a new hive or add to your existing apiary with high-quality live package bees from Mann Lake. We've been shipping honey bees all over the USA for many years, and we're happy to help you start or add to your apiary! Browse our bee packages for sale to strengthen your colony today.
What are package bees?
Package bees are a starter honey bee colony, usually accompanied by a mated queen. Your package will include 10,000 or more healthy, well-bred live honey bees ready to get to work!
Beekeepers of all levels can use package bees to establish a new hive or strengthen an existing one. For many new hobbyists, a bee package is an excellent start to building the ideal first apiary. Typically, queen bees will begin laying eggs about one week after your package of bees arrives. From there, expect your colony to grow stronger and more productive in the weeks and months to come.
Package bees are commonly sold in ventilated containers. When you purchase package bees, they’ll be shipped ready to be introduced to their hives. All live package bees from Mann Lake arrive unclipped and unmarked.
Depending on your location and experience, we can ship package bees of various types to your local post office. You can also purchase live bees for pickup at dedicated points around the US.
Types of Bees for Sale
The success of your colony depends on choosing the right package of bees. Each bee breed comes with its own unique characteristics. Take your experience level, climate, and environment into account when choosing a package of bees for your apiary.
Here are just a few of our best-selling bee species and what they’re commonly known for:
Saskatraz Package Bees
Saskatraz honey bees are great for making lots of honey and surviving cold winters. They are gentle to handle and naturally resist tracheal mites, while also tolerating varroa mites. This makes them a strong and reliable choice for beekeepers.
- Ideal Climate: Cold to temperate regions. These bees are bred for harsh winters.
- Environmental Factors: Adaptable to various forage conditions, with high honey production.
- Beekeeper Experience: Ideal for intermediate to advanced beekeepers.
Carniolan Package Bees
Carniolan honey bees are gentle and easy to work with, making them perfect for beginner beekeepers. They are excellent honey producers and forage efficiently, even in cooler weather. Carniolans also conserve resources well, helping the hive thrive throughout the year. We consider Carniolan bees beginner-friendly, perfect for a first colony!
- Ideal Climate: Cool, temperate climates. Carniolan bees often thrive in northern regions.
- Environmental Factors: These efficient foragers thrive in areas with fluctuating nectar flows.
- Beekeeper Experience: Recommended for beginner to intermediate beekeepers.
Italian Package Bees
Italian honey bees are gentle and great foragers. These Italian package bees produce a lot of honey, build comb at a highly effective rate, and are highly resistant to mites. Many beekeepers prefer Italian bees for their productivity and docile nature. Italian bees are one of the most beginner-friendly types of bees available!
- Ideal Climate: Italian bees prefer warm, Mediterranean-like climates. However, these resilient honey bees are adaptable to various environments.
- Environmental Factors: Italian honey bees prefer consistent nectar sources. Be aware that this breed may consume more stores during dearths.
- Beekeeper Experience: A very beginner-friendly breed!
Russian & Russian-Hybrid Package Bees
Russian honey bees are great guard bees, excellent at wintering, and can rear massive amounts of brood. These bees are known for their resilience and adaptability to various climates. That makes them an excellent choice for all kinds of beekeepers.
Ideal Climate: Originally from the Primorsky region of Russia, Russian honey bees tend to prefer colder climates. However, they are hardy and versatile.
Environmental Factors: Russian honey bees can adapt to variable forage availability.
Beekeeper Experience: These are a good fit for intermediate to advanced beekeepers.
An Open-air Mated Queen Bee with Each Package of Honey Bees
All our package bees include an open-air mated queen bee. Queens included in our package bees do not come marked or clipped. If you purchase queen bees separately from Mann Lake, they will be shipped in a queen cage. That will ensure a safe arrival and a successful introduction to your drone bees and the colony.
Having the right equipment is also crucial when setting up your bee hives. Here at Mann Lake, we also have beekeeping supplies to go with your bee packages. From hive tools to protective gear, we offer many beekeeping products to support your beekeeping endeavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many bees come in a package of honey bees?
Our live package bee offerings include an estimated 3lbs of bees. This can vary by bee breed due to their size and individual weight, but equates to approximately 10,000 to 12,000 honey bees per package.
How long does it take for package bees to establish a hive?
After installation in a prepared hive, bees typically begin building comb. From there, the queen should start laying eggs within about a week. The full development of the hive can take several weeks to months. The timing depends on factors such as nectar flow, colony strength, and overall hive conditions.
How soon should I transfer my package of bees into their hive after arrival?
It’s best to transfer the package bees into their hive as soon as possible after they arrive. Setting them up promptly allows them to acclimate to their new home and start building their colony immediately.
Should I feed my package bees?
We recommend feeding heavily with a 1:1 sugar-to-water syrup or our Pro-Sweet Liquid Feed. Continue feeding until your bees are well established. This will help them build comb and support the queen as she starts laying eggs.
Where can I find more information about installing a package of bees?
Visit our comprehensive guide for detailed instructions with images. We provide step-by-step instructions on proper bee installation, including package bee installation.
View bee installation instructions.
How do I report an issue with my bees?
At Mann Lake, we guarantee healthy live bees to all beekeepers. If you have a non-laying queen or other issue, please reach out using our official form. An associate will respond as soon as possible to request more information and offer a solution.