Pre-order now for April 2027 pickup
Spring 2027 Pre-Order: 5-Frame Nuc, Italian Bees — Starter Bee Hives
Spring 2027 Pre-Order: 5-Frame Nuc, Italian Bees — Starter Bee Hives
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This is a pre-order for spring 2027 delivery.
These bees are not available this season. You are reserving a colony for pickup on our spring 2027 delivery route. Pickup only — we do not ship live bees.
Delivery is scheduled for April 2027, and those dates are tentative. We haul live animals across many states. Weather, supplier timing, and colony health all move dates, and we will not run a route that puts bees at risk. You’ll receive your exact stop, date, and time window by email. Read our delivery date policy.
Nucs and packages are delivered on separate days. We bring nucs through first, then return through the same towns with packages about two weeks later. If you order both, expect two pickup days.
If something’s wrong with your nuc, we come back. We carry replacement nucs on the package run. If your colony has a problem, call us and we’ll bring a replacement rather than making you wait a season. We carry a limited number of spares, so it isn’t a blank check — but it’s why we run the route in this order.
What Is a Nucleus Bee Colony?
A nucleus colony (nuc) is a fully functioning mini bee-hive — the best way to start beekeeping. Unlike package bees, nucs come with everything already working: a laying queen the bees have accepted, drawn comb, brood in all stages, and food stores. Just transfer to your hive and watch them grow.
What's Included in Your 5-Frame Nuc:
• 5 deep frames of drawn comb
• Brood in all stages (eggs, larvae, capped)
• Spring nucs contain resource frames and may contain some bee bread
• One mated, laying queen (unmarked)
• Strong worker population
• Cardboard nuc box for transport
• Spring nucs are weeks old and have had less opportunity for mites or disease to infiltrate the colony
Why Nucs Beat Packages for Beginners:
• HIGHER SUCCESS RATE — Established colony, not starting from scratch
• 4-6 WEEK HEAD START — Queen already laying, comb already built
• LESS STRESS — Bees already bonded to their queen
• EASIER INSTALLATION — Just transfer frames, no shaking bees
• POSSIBLE FIRST-YEAR HONEY — Packages rarely produce year one
Best For: First-time beekeepers and anyone who wants the best chance of success.
Price: $195
Questions? Call (701) 809-0153
Delivery Waves
We run four delivery waves. Nucs go out first, then we come back through the same towns with packages about two weeks later — so nucs and packages are never picked up on the same day.
- Waves 1 & 2 — Southern: Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming, South Dakota, southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin. Nucs on Wave 1, packages on Wave 2.
- Waves 3 & 4 — Northern: Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Nucs on Wave 3, packages on Wave 4.
Delivery is scheduled for April 2027 and dates are tentative. We don’t publish a stop-by-stop schedule until we’re confident in it. You’ll receive your exact stop, date, and time window by email. Read our delivery date policy.
Payment Options
- Pay in full by credit card at checkout
- Cash-on-delivery available (50% deposit required by February 28, 2027 )
To pay your 50% deposit now by card, use coupon code 'Half Cash'.
