📅 Wave 2 Delivery Schedule — Sunday & Monday, May 10–11
We're back on track. Find your stop, save the address, and we'll see you there. Times are local — heads up on the Mountain → Central time zone change in central ND on Sunday.
🚚 Sunday, May 10 — I-94 Corridor
• Billings, MT — 9:45–10:00 AM MT
Town Pump/Pilot, 2711 N Frontage Rd
• Dickinson, ND — 2:15–2:30 PM MT
Tiger Discount, 2955 I-94 Business Loop E
• Bismarck, ND — 5:00–5:15 PM CT
ONE9 Travel Center, 3936 Miriam Ave
• Jamestown, ND — 6:45–7:00 PM CT
Marathon, 1609 Business Loop E
• Valley City, ND — 7:40–8:00 PM CT
Love's Travel Stop, 1385 8th Ave SW
🚛 Monday, May 11 — My truck
• Grand Forks, ND — 8:00–8:25 AM
Flying J, 4401 32nd Ave S
• Crookston, MN — 8:55–9:10 AM
Walmart, 1930 Sahlstrom Dr
• Bemidji, MN — 10:55–11:35 AM
Menards, 2600 Paul Bunyan Dr NW
• Grand Rapids, MN — 1:05–1:30 PM
Cole Hardware, 508 NE 4th St
• Cloquet, MN — 2:45–3:25 PM
Walmart, 1308 MN-33
• Fridley, MN (TC North) — 5:40–6:20 PM
Menards, 5351 Central Ave NE
• St. Cloud, MN — 7:35–8:00 PM
Pilot Travel Center, 4231 Clearwater Rd
🚐 Monday, May 11 — Van crew
• Detroit Lakes, MN — 9:20–9:35 AM
Menards, 1465 Menard Dr
• McGregor, MN — 12:05–12:30 PM
McGregor High School, 148 S 2nd St
• Brainerd, MN — 2:30–2:50 PM
Fleet Farm, 14114 Dellwood Dr N, Baxter
• Alexandria, MN — 4:05–4:25 PM
Menards, 215 50th Ave W
• Fergus Falls, MN — 5:15–5:30 PM
Fleet Farm, 2002 W Lincoln Ave
• Fargo, ND — 6:45–7:05 PM
Fleet Farm, 3730 36th St S
A few things:
✓ These windows are when we'll be there. Please plan to arrive inside yours.
✓ Can't make Monday? Reply or message us — alternative pickup or consignment is on the table.
✓ Bees are healthy. Big thanks to everyone for sticking with us this week.
Questions? Drop them below. We're always happy to help, even if you didn't get your bees from us.
All other Wave 2 stops (Idaho, Montana, and ND/MN stops already completed) are not affected. Your bees are healthy — this is a logistics issue only.
Questions? Call or text us at 701-809-0153.Wave 1 deliveries are complete and we're now gearing up for Wave 2. If your order is in Wave 2, here's everything you need to know before your pickup date.
WHEN YOU ARRIVE, LOOK FOR:
A gray Chevy Silverado dually pulling a flatbed gooseneck trailer on the main route. The van crew will be driving a white 15 passenger van.
PLEASE ARRIVE 15 MINUTES EARLY.
We run a tight schedule with 31 stops across 5 states. Once we leave a location, we can't turn back. Please plan to arrive before your window opens — not at the end of it.
IF YOU HAVE A REMAINING BALANCE:
Please have cash, Venmo, or a cashier's check ready at pickup.
---
A FEW IMPORTANT REMINDERS
We want to be straightforward with you about a few things, because bees are living animals and timing matters.
If you miss your pickup, it is your responsibility to arrange to get your bees. We cannot hold them, reroute them, or make a second trip. Live colonies cannot survive indefinitely in transit — the longer they go without being installed, the greater the risk of loss.
We stand behind what we deliver. If there's a documented issue with the health or condition of your colony at the time of pickup — something that falls under the guarantees outlined in our purchase policy — we'll make it right. That's a commitment we take seriously. What we can't cover are losses that occur after delivery due to installation timing, management decisions, or circumstances outside our control.
There are no refunds on missed pickups. If something comes up and you know in advance you can't make it, call us as soon as possible at 701-809-0153. We'll do our best to help work something out, but we can't make promises.
Proven Northern Climate Bees with Strong Winter Survival
Beekeeping in northern climates demands strong, reliable genetics. Our locally raised Carniolan and Italian bees are carefully selected for resilience, helping beekeepers succeed season after season in challenging conditions.
Why Beekeepers Choose Little Apiary on the Prairie
PROVEN GENETICS
Our colonies are meticulously maintained to be hygienic, mite-resistant, and resilient. We select for gentleness and productivity, giving you bees that are a pleasure to work with.
CONVENIENT PICKUP
50+ pickup locations across 6 states. We bring the bees to you at convenient stops along major interstates. No shipping stress — just healthy bees ready for your hive.
NORTHERN HARDY
Our bees thrive in northern climates. Minnesota overwintered nucs available — colonies that have proven their cold-weather genetics through a full northern winter.
FAMILY OWNED SINCE 2018
We're a small family operation dedicated to your success. You'll get personal service and real answers — not a call center. Call us: (701) 809-0153.
Start Your Hive with Package Bees or Nucs
-
Package Bees for Sale | Little Apiary
Buy live package bees for a strong hive start this spring. Each...
-
Bee Nucs for Sale | Little Apiary
Buy live bee nucs in Italian and Carniolan varieties to start a...
-
Queen Bees for Sale | Little Apiary
Buy live, mated queen bees to strengthen or requeen your hive. Our...
New to Beekeeping? Start Here.
Starting
your first hive is exciting — and choosing the right bees matters. We recommend
nucleus colonies (nucs) for beginners because they come with an established
queen, drawn comb, and brood. Higher success rate, less stress. Not sure what
to buy? Call us at (701) 809-0153 — we love helping new beekeepers get started
right.
April 2026 Orders have launched!
Spring 2026 Delivery Across Six States
- Northern Rockies to the Upper Midwest -
We’re expanding our delivery routes for the 2026 season, bringing quality, locally raised bees closer to more beekeepers than ever before.
Delivery Waves
Wave 1: April 16–19
Wyoming · South Dakota · Southern Minnesota (South of I-94)
Wave 2: April 29 – May 3
Idaho · Montana · North Dakota · Minnesota (Twin Cities & North of I-94)
Convenient Pickup Locations
We offer scheduled pickup locations across:
Idaho – Boise, Chubbuck, Fruitland, Heyburn, Idaho Falls, Mountain Home
Minnesota – Albert Lea, Alexandria, Bemidji, Brainerd, Cloquet, Detroit Lakes, Fargo Area, Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud, Twin Cities & more
Montana – Billings, Bozeman, Helena, Missoula, Miles City & more
North Dakota – Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Dickinson & more
South Dakota – Sioux Falls, Rapid City, Mitchell, Watertown & more
Wyoming – Casper, Gillette, Buffalo
👉 Bees sell out every year. Secure your order early to guarantee your spot on our delivery route.
About Us
Welcome to Little Apiary on the Prairie, a family-owned and locally-rooted apiary nestled in the Northern Great Plains. Our passion for bees and the vital role they play in our ecosystem has driven us to create a haven for these industrious insects, ensuring that they thrive in an environment that promotes health, productivity, and harmony with nature.
Quality Assurance
At Little Apiary on the Prairie, we take immense pride in the quality of our bees. Our colonies are meticulously maintained to be hygienic, mite-resistant, and resilient. We understand the challenges that beekeepers face, and our commitment to delivering bees of the highest standard reflects our dedication to supporting the success of our customers.
Shop Bees for Your Apiary
Buy nucs and package bees to build healthy, productive hives this spring. Choose established nucleus colonies or fresh package bees, both available in Italian and Carniolan varieties for successful colony growth.
-
1lbs Ultra Bee Pollen Patties
Regular price $6.00 USDRegular priceUnit price perSale price $6.00 USD -
Traditional Growing Apiary Kit, Painted, 10 Frame
Regular price $346.99 USDRegular priceUnit price perSale price $346.99 USD -
10 Frame Traditional Complete Hive Kit
Regular price $162.99 USDRegular priceUnit price perSale price $162.99 USD -
Assembled 10-Frame Super Kit, Standard Plastic-Frame
Regular price $80.99 USDRegular priceUnit price perSale price $80.99 USD
Buzz From Our Customers
- FAQs -
When should I order my bees for 2026?
The time to order is now. Little Apiary on the Prairie begins taking pre-orders in the winter for spring delivery. Bees are sold on a first-come, first-served basis, and popular breeds often sell out by February. For answers to more of your questions, visit our FAQs page.
Should I buy packages or nucs?
Most beginners find more success with a Nuc because it's an established colony. However, Packages are a great budget option for experienced keepers. See the full breakdown in our Bee Package vs. Bee Nuc side-by-side comparison.
Which bees are best for beginners?
For those just starting out, we almost always recommend a Nuc. Since the queen is already accepted and laying eggs on established comb, the colony is much more stable and less likely to fly away.
How many bees come in a 3lb package?
When you buy a 3lb package from Little Apiary on the Prairie, you are receiving a colony of approximately 10,000 honey bees. This population is the ideal size to jumpstart a new hive.
Do You Ship Bees?
No. We do not ship bees — pickup only at our 50+ locations.