Start a new hive or add to your existing apiary with high-quality live package bees from Mann Lake. We've been shipping honey bees all over the USA for many years, and we're happy to help you start or add to your apiary!
Types of Bees Available
Depending on your location and experience with honey bees, we can ship package bees of various types to your local post office or to pick up points around the US. Each bee breed comes with their own unique characteristics.
Here are just a few of our bee species and what they’re commonly known for:
Saskatraz Package Bees
Saskatraz hone bees are great for making lots of honey and surviving cold winters. They are gentle to handle and naturally resist tracheal mites, while also tolerating varroa mites. This makes them a strong and reliable choice for beekeepers.
Carniolan Package Bees
Carniolan honey bees are gentle and easy to work with, making them perfect for beginner beekeepers. They are excellent honey producers and forage efficiently, even in cooler weather. Carniolans also conserve resources well, helping the hive thrive throughout the year.
Italian Package Bees
Italian honey bees are gentle and great foragers. These Italian package bees produce a lot of honey, build comb at a highly effective rate, and are highly resistant to mites. Many beekeepers prefer Italian bees for their productivity and docile nature.
Russian & Russian-Hybrid Package Bees
Russian honey bees are great guard bees, excellent at wintering, and can rear massive amounts of brood. These bees are known for their resilience and adaptability to various climates, making them an excellent choice for all kinds of beekeepers.
An Open-air Mated Queen Bee with Each Package Bee Order
All our package bees include an open-air mated queen bee. Queens included in our package bees do not come marked or clipped. If you purchase queen bees separately from Mann Lake, they will be shipped in a queen cage to ensure a safe arrival and a successful introduction to your drone bees and the colony.
Whether you are interested in Carniolan package bees, Russian hybrids, or any other variety of our bee packages, our products can help you start your beekeeping journey or expand your existing apiary.
Having the right equipment is also crucial when setting up your bee hives. Here at Mann Lake, we also have beekeeping supplies to go with your bee packages. From hive tools to protective gear, we offer many beekeeping products to support your beekeeping endeavors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are package bees?
Package bees are a starter honey bee colony, usually accompanied by a mated queen, that beekeepers can use to establish a new hive or strengthen an existing one. Package bees are commonly sold in ventilated containers and shipped to customers ready to be introduced to their hives.
How long does it take for package bees to establish a hive?
After installation in a prepared hive, bees typically begin building comb, and the queen should start laying eggs within about a week. The full development of the hive can take several weeks to months, depending on factors such as nectar flow, colony strength, and overall hive conditions.
How soon should I transfer my bees into their hive after arrival?
It’s best to transfer the package bees into their hive as soon as possible after they arrive. Setting them up promptly allows them to acclimate to their new home and start building their colony immediately.
Should I feed my package bees?
We recommend feeding heavily with a 1:1 sugar-to-water syrup or our Pro-Sweet Liquid Feed until your bees are well established. This will help them build comb and support the queen as she starts laying eggs.