Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about buying bees from Little Apiary on the Prairie.
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ORDERING & AVAILABILITY
When Should I Order Bees?
Order as early as possible. Our bees sell out every year — usually well before spring. Pre-orders for 2026 are open now. Once we're sold out, you'll have to wait until next year.
When Will My Bees Be Ready?
Wave 1 (April 16-19): Wyoming, South Dakota, southern Minnesota
Wave 2 (April 29 - May 3): Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota
We schedule earlier deliveries for areas with earlier springs.
Do You Ship Bees?
No. We do not ship bees — pickup only at our 50+ locations.
Why? Shipped bees experience stress, temperature swings, and postal delays. Our pickup model means your bees arrive healthy and calm. It's worth the drive.
CHOOSING YOUR BEES
What's the Difference Between Package Bees and Nucs?
PACKAGE BEES ($150):
• 3 pounds of loose bees (~10,000 workers)
• Caged queen (bees haven't accepted her yet)
• You install into your hive equipment
• Bees must build all comb from scratch
• 4-6 weeks behind nucs in development
NUCS ($188.50 - $205):
• 5 frames of drawn comb
• Established, laying queen (already accepted)
• Brood, honey, and pollen included
• Transfer frames directly into your hive
• Ready to grow immediately
Which should you choose?
• First-time beekeeper → Get a nuc (higher success rate)
• On a tight budget → Packages cost less
• Want the best genetics → Minnesota overwintered nuc
Should I Choose Carniolan or Italian Bees?
CARNIOLANS — Best for cold climates
• Excellent overwinterers
• Explosive spring buildup
• Very gentle
• Conservative with food stores
ITALIANS — Best for honey production
• Prolific honey makers
• Easy-to-spot golden queens
• Very gentle
• Strong brood production
For Montana, Wyoming, the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Idaho — we generally recommend Carniolans for their cold-hardiness. But both breeds do well with good management.
QUEENS
Do You Mark Queens?
No. We do NOT mark queens. All queens are sold unmarked. If you need a marked queen, you'll need to mark her yourself after installation.
PICKUP PROCESS
How Does Pickup Work?
1. When you order, select your pickup location
2. About a week before delivery, we email you the exact address and time
3. Arrive 10 minutes early on pickup day
4. Check in, verify your bees, load up, head home
What Should I Bring to Pickup?
• Cash if you have a balance due
• Your vehicle (bees can ride inside, out of direct sun)
• A plan to get them into your hive ASAP
What If I Can't Make My Pickup Time?
Send someone else to pick up for you (let us know in advance). Bees not picked up can be collected in Fargo, ND after we return — but we can't guarantee availability.
PAYMENT
What Payment Methods Do You Accept?
• Online checkout (credit card through Shopify)
• Phone orders: Call 608-444-2765
• Split payment: Half now, half at pickup (call to arrange)
• Balance due at pickup: CASH only
Website Problems?
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AFTER PICKUP
How Do I Transport Bees Home?
• Bees can ride inside your vehicle
• Keep out of direct sunlight
• Don't put in a closed trunk
• Keep ventilation holes clear
• Drive home and install promptly
How Soon Should I Install My Bees?
Same day, ideally. Within 24 hours maximum. The sooner they're in their new hive, the less stress.
Still Have Questions?
Call us:608-444-2765
Email:info@littleapiaryontheprairie.com
We're beekeepers. We get it. Ask us anything.