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Pre-order now for April 2027 pickup

Spring 2027 Pre-Order: Minnesota Overwintered Nuc, Italian — Proven Survivor Stock

Spring 2027 Pre-Order: Minnesota Overwintered Nuc, Italian — Proven Survivor Stock

$215.00 USD
$215.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Delivery Site

"Limited availability per pickup location"

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.

Why Are Overwintered Nucs Better for Northern Climates?

These nucs didn't just survive a Minnesota winter — they thrived. That's genetics you can't buy from southern suppliers. Our overwintered nucs represent the gold standard for serious northern beekeepers who want colonies built to last.

What Makes Overwintered Nucs Special:

• PROVEN SURVIVORS — Made it through a real northern winter

• ADAPTED GENETICS — Selected by nature for cold climates

• STRONG SPRING COLONIES — Ready to explode when flowers bloom

• LOCAL STOCK — No shipping stress, no southern genetics struggling up north

What's Included:

• 5 deep frames of drawn comb

• Brood in all stages

• Honey and pollen stores

• Overwintered queen (unmarked) — proven survivor

• Strong worker bee population

• Cardboard nuc box for transport

Best For: Experienced beekeepers in cold climates who want premium genetics proven to overwinter successfully.

Price: $215.00

Limited Availability — These sell out fast.

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'.

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🐝 Northern Climate Beekeeping Data

USDA Hardiness Zones Zone 3b – Zone 5a
Winter Survival Exceptional — Survived Minnesota Winter Despite Larger Winter Clusters
Spring Buildup Outstanding — Large Populations Already Building When Delivered
Temperament Gentle — Winter-Tested, Calm Stock
Honey Production Very High — Winter-Proven Production Genetics Ready for First Flows
Mite Resistance Freeze Kill Tested, VSH Verified & Winter-Selected for Mite Resistance
Genetic Source Minnesota Overwintered — Strongest Survivors of Northern Winter Selection
Selection Program 8+ Years in Selective Breeding Program (Est. 2018)
Recommended For Beekeepers in Zones 3–5 Who Want Proven Survival AND Maximum Honey Production

💡 Darin's Expert Advice

"An overwintered Italian nuc is something special. Italians naturally maintain larger winter clusters than Carniolans, which means they consume more stores — so the ones that survive a Minnesota winter have truly exceptional genetics. These colonies come out of winter with bigger populations than overwintered Carniolans, which means they're ready to hit honey flows hard right out of the gate. The trade-off is they needed more going into winter to make it, and these are the ones that managed it. If you're in Zone 4 or warmer and your goal is maximum honey production from winter-proven stock, this is the premium choice. For Zone 3 beekeepers in the coldest areas, I'd still lean Carniolan overwintereds — but if you've got good windbreaks and solid fall management, these Italian survivors are exceptional producers."

📋 Data verified by Darin, owner of Little Apiary on the Prairie — 8+ years breeding bees for USDA Zones 3b–7a.
📞 Questions? Call (701) 809-0153