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How are bees packaged?
Packaged bees are generally taken from the upper brood comb of strong hives. They are shaken into the box using a funnel. Packages do not include any kind of frame or comb. Once received, the packaged bees are shaken straight into an empty hive and the caged queen is placed inside with them.
How do they mail bees?
Gold Star Honeybees are shipped USPS Priority Mail. They will only ship via ground transportation because the USPS prohibits air transportation. Each 3# package is insured for the purchase price. They also ship “Hold for pickup” – and the post office will have your phone number.
How are honey bees packaged?
Bee Well Honey Bee Packages arrive in a wire and wooden package. The most popular size is a 3# (weight) package of bees with a young mated queen. They are transported inside a small wire/wooden box with a can of sugar syrup to feed them on their journey.
How long can a package of bees survive in the mail?
Some long-time beekeepers say no more than four days max, but you can probably keep them in there a week if you feed them.
What does a package of bees look like?
A bee package is a wooden frame box with screen on two sides. There is also a small wooden box with a screen on one side. This box holds a queen and a few worker bees to attend to her while on the trip. This small wooden box has a cork on one end and is suspended from the top of the package.
How do you package bees hive?
Shaking a Package of Bees into A Hive
- hang queen cage inside the hive.
- remove some frames (with foundation) from the bee box.
- pick up the package and pour (yes pour) a small mound of bees directly on top of the frames holding the queen cage.
- pour the remainder of bees in the open space of the box.
How much does it cost to ship bees?
Some recent posts in the Honeybee Haulers of America Facebook group seem to confirm that $3 per mile is still a reasonably common rate. For the top ten states that ship bees to California for almond pollination, it can cost anywhere from $1,360–if you’re coming from nearby Oregon–to over $8,000!
Can you ship bees through USPS?
Honeybees. Honeybees are acceptable only via surface transportation, and must bear special handling fees, in addition to regular postage. Mailpieces must be plainly marked on the address side with “Live Bees” and “Surface Only” or “Surface Mail Only.”
Should you treat package bees?
Beekeepers are encouraged to treat their package bees, by doing the following: Products should be used before brood is capped, about 1 week after hiving the package bees or swarms. Oxalic Acid: 5ml of oxalic solution per seam of bees, per instructions.
Can you mail bees to people?
Only queen honeybees and female worker/attendant honeybees can be mailed via the USPS. Whole colonies cannot be shipped. If you’re sending a starter hive of live bees, keep in mind that the type of bee you’re sending will determine the mail class you can use.
What kind of bees do you get in your package?
All package bees in the US start out in the south.) Our queens in the packages are from renown David Miska. Gentle bees, Italian strain, work well in our climate. 3 lbs with queen in the new “Bee Bus” packaging.
How do I order bees?
Please read the following first before scrolling down to order bees. Individual Package Bees go on sale on January 1 each year online only at honeybeesonline.com. Last year the single packages sold out in about 2 weeks, so don’t delay! If you are looking for complete packages (hives, equipment, and bees) check out our Hive Kits.
When do honey bee packages go on sale?
Individual Package Bees go on sale on January 1 each year online only at honeybeesonline.com. Last year the single packages sold out in about 2 weeks, so don’t delay! If you are looking for complete packages (hives, equipment, and bees) check out our Hive Kits.
Where can I buy package bees or nucs?
You have many online and mail-order sites to choose from. You can order package bees or nucs from most of these sources, but you should also check with your local beekeeping association since it is sometimes easier and less expensive to obtain your bees from local sources. A nuc is a smaller, nucleus colony of bees as compared to a full hive.