I want to start beekeeping and I have some questions!

What’s a nuc?  

The word nuc is an abbreviation of the word nucleus. Nucleus is a smaller colony of bees created from a larger colony of bees.
A nuc has 4-5 frames of bees, brood, honey, pollen, and a mated and laying Queen.

​When you purchase a nuc, you are purchasing frames of bees that need to be transferred into a full hive box. A box that holds 10 frames. The nuc box is not a permanent home for the bees. Bees need space to grow over the year.

If you purchase a nuc, you will need to purchase all the remaining equipment such as: 2 deeps with frames, 2 supers with frames, a bottom board, a telescoping lid, all your beekeeping tools and a beekeeping suit.

I sell nucs and I also sell single box hives. What’s the difference?
A single box hive has more frames of bees - a full hive in fact. The frames are inside a deep box that the bees will stay in permanently.
The single box hive also comes with a telescoping lid, a bottom board and a feeder.

If you purchase a single box hive, you will need to also purchase a second deep with frames, 2 supers with frames, all your beekeeping tools and a beekeeping suit.

Finally, we have the full hive kits I sell. They are a full hive of bees, living in a deep box. You also receive a second deep with frames, 2 supers with frames, all your beekeeping tools and a full beekeeping suit.

If you purchase a full hive kit, you will not need to purchase anything further. It has everything you need. Everything is also assembled and painted/stained.

The difference in the full hive kits I sell are the wood types. I have Red Cedar, Barnwood and Painted White Pine. It’s all a matter of your personal preference!

Hopefully this helps answer a lot of your questions about ordering bees! I know it can be a bit confusing and overwhelming to start.

In closing, I'll add that bee pickups happen in May! I will know the exact dates by April 1st. We have to wait and see what the weather does.

Bee orders start the previous October and typically last through April or even May. It just depends on when we sell out.

​Thanks for your interest in starting up beekeeping. The world needs your passion and love for the bees!!!

Remember: shop small • shop local • shop American!