{"product_id":"italian-package-bees-3lbs","title":"Spring 2027 Pre-Order: Italian Package Bees, 3 lb — America's Most Popular Bee","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"laop-preorder-2027\" style=\"border:2px solid #b8860b;border-radius:6px;padding:14px;margin:0 0 18px;background:#fffbea;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a pre-order for spring 2027 delivery.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 8px;\"\u003eThese 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 8px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDelivery is scheduled for April 2027, and those dates are tentative.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/delivery-date-policy\"\u003eRead our delivery date policy\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNucs and packages are delivered on separate days.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003chr class=\"soft-divider\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat Are the Advantages of Italian Bees?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003eItalian honey bees are America's most popular variety, prized for prolific brood production, excellent honey yields, and docile temperament. Their light golden color makes queens easy to spot during inspections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's Included:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e• Approximately 3 pounds of worker bees (about 10,000 bees)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e• One mated, laying Italian queen (unmarked)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e•Queen housed in a separate cage for safe introduction\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e• Sugar water for transport\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItalian Bee Characteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e• Temperament: Very gentle — great for beginners\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e• Honey Production: Excellent — prolific foragers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e• Brood Production: High — strong population builder\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e• Queen Visibility: Easy — light golden color stands out\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e• Color: Light golden\/yellow bands\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest For:\u003c\/strong\u003e Beekeepers who prioritize honey production and want easy-to-spot queens. Excellent for beginners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuestions? Call \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"tel:+17018090153\" style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\"\u003e(701) 809-0153\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"soft-divider\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDelivery Waves\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaves 1 \u0026amp; 2 — Southern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming, South Dakota, southern Minnesota, southern Wisconsin. Nucs on Wave 1, packages on Wave 2.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaves 3 \u0026amp; 4 — Northern:\u003c\/strong\u003e Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Nucs on Wave 3, packages on Wave 4.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDelivery is scheduled for April 2027 and dates are tentative.\u003c\/strong\u003e 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. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/delivery-date-policy\"\u003eRead our delivery date policy\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"soft-divider\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3345\" data-start=\"3267\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePayment Options\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003ePay in full by credit card at checkout\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCash-on-delivery available\u003c\/strong\u003e (50% deposit required by February 28, 2027 )\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e To pay your 50% deposit now by card, \u003cstrong\u003euse coupon code 'Half Cash\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Marshall, MN","offer_id":48025203638522,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Watertown, SD","offer_id":48025203671290,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Sioux Falls, SD","offer_id":48025203704058,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Chamberlain, SD","offer_id":48025203736826,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mitchell, SD","offer_id":48025203769594,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bemidji, MN","offer_id":48025203802362,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fargo, ND","offer_id":48025203835130,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Detroit Lakes, MN","offer_id":48025203867898,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Burnsville, MN","offer_id":48025203900666,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fridley, MN","offer_id":48025203933434,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Willmar, MN","offer_id":48025203966202,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Alexandria, MN","offer_id":48025203998970,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rochester, MN","offer_id":48025204031738,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"St. Cloud, MN","offer_id":48025204064506,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Crookston, MN","offer_id":48025204097274,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Brainerd, MN","offer_id":48025204130042,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Cloquet, MN","offer_id":48025204162810,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grand Rapids, MN","offer_id":48025204195578,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grand Forks, ND","offer_id":48025204228346,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fergus Falls, MN","offer_id":48025204261114,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"McGregor, MN","offer_id":48025204293882,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Worthington, MN","offer_id":48025204326650,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fairmont, MN","offer_id":48025204359418,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Albert Lea, MN","offer_id":48025204392186,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Austin, MN","offer_id":48025204424954,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Owatonna, MN","offer_id":48025204457722,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mankato, MN","offer_id":48025204490490,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"New Ulm, MN","offer_id":48025204523258,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Hutchinson, MN","offer_id":48025204556026,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Montevideo, MN","offer_id":48025204588794,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Murdo, SD","offer_id":48025204621562,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Wall, SD","offer_id":48025204654330,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Rapid City, SD","offer_id":48025204687098,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Spearfish, SD","offer_id":48025204719866,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Buffalo, WY","offer_id":48025204752634,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Casper, WY","offer_id":48025204785402,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Gillette, WY","offer_id":48025204818170,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Lima, MT","offer_id":48025204850938,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Garrison, MT","offer_id":48025204883706,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Big Timber, MT","offer_id":48025204916474,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Billings, MT","offer_id":48025204949242,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bozeman, MT","offer_id":48025204982010,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Butte, MT","offer_id":48025205014778,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Glendive, MT","offer_id":48025205047546,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Helena, MT","offer_id":48025205080314,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Miles City, MT","offer_id":48025205113082,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Missoula, MT","offer_id":48025205145850,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Heyburn, ID","offer_id":48025205178618,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Idaho Falls, ID","offer_id":48025205211386,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Chubbuck, ID","offer_id":48025205244154,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Mountain Home, ID","offer_id":48025205276922,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Boise, ID","offer_id":48025205309690,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fruitland, ID","offer_id":48025205342458,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medora, ND","offer_id":48025205375226,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dickinson, ND","offer_id":48025205407994,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Bismarck, ND","offer_id":48025205440762,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Jamestown, ND","offer_id":48025205473530,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Valley City, ND","offer_id":48025205506298,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Yankton, SD","offer_id":49973597798650,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Norfolk, NE","offer_id":49973597831418,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Columbus, NE","offer_id":49973597864186,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Grand Island, NE","offer_id":49973597896954,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Lincoln, NE","offer_id":49973597929722,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Omaha, NE","offer_id":49973597962490,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Sioux City, IA","offer_id":49973597995258,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"La Crosse, WI","offer_id":49973598028026,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Viroqua, WI","offer_id":49973598060794,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Richland Center, WI","offer_id":49973598093562,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dodgeville, WI","offer_id":49973598126330,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Madison, WI","offer_id":49973598159098,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Janesville, WI","offer_id":49973598191866,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Delavan, WI","offer_id":49973598224634,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Kenosha, WI","offer_id":49973598257402,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Milwaukee (South), WI","offer_id":49973598290170,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Menomonee Falls, WI","offer_id":49973598322938,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"West Bend, WI","offer_id":49973598355706,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fond du Lac, WI","offer_id":49973598388474,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Appleton, WI","offer_id":49973598421242,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Stevens Point, WI","offer_id":49973598454010,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black River Falls, WI","offer_id":49973598486778,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Eau Claire, WI","offer_id":49973598519546,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Hudson, WI","offer_id":49973598552314,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Superior, WI","offer_id":49973598585082,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ashland, WI","offer_id":49973598617850,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Ironwood, MI","offer_id":49973598650618,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Covington, MI","offer_id":49973598683386,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Marquette, MI","offer_id":49973598716154,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Dafter, MI","offer_id":49973598748922,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"St. Ignace, MI","offer_id":49973598781690,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Manistique, MI","offer_id":49973598814458,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Marinette, WI","offer_id":49973598847226,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Green Bay, WI","offer_id":49973598879994,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Shawano, WI","offer_id":49973598912762,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Wausau, WI","offer_id":49973598945530,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Tomahawk, WI","offer_id":49973598978298,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Barron, WI","offer_id":49973599011066,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Taylors Falls, MN","offer_id":49973599043834,"sku":null,"price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0681\/4004\/0442\/files\/rn-image_picker_lib_temp_1b236835-ab85-42d3-9598-8101103020ef.jpg?v=1703326116","url":"https:\/\/www.littleapiaryontheprairie.com\/products\/italian-package-bees-3lbs","provider":"Little Apiary on the Prairie","version":"1.0","type":"link"}