👉 Spring 2026 Pre-Orders Are Now Open — Our bees sell out every year. Reserve yours today!

Find Your Pickup Location
Beekeeper inspecting a frame of cold-hardy bees proven for Minnesota and North Dakota

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

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.

First-Time Beekeeper Guide

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.

View all

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.