Spring Packages and Nuc availability for 2024 in Louisville and surrounding areas.  The early shipments of bee packages, queens, and nucs from Southern State producers start in early April. Reserve by January or February as they often sell out. We highly recommend getting your bees from local producers instead of shipped bees. These bees are adapted to the local environment and buying from them supports our local beekeeping economy. Local producers typically have packages and nucs available April-June.

BEES FOR SALE

Local Nucs & Packages

If you are thinking of starting beekeeping, we suggest you begin looking for nucs starting in January, as it is getting late in the season to get one established so that it will be ready for Winter.

Local suppliers of Nucs are shared on our Facebook group as they become available, generally local beekeepers sell nucs in May & early June. Please join, if you live in the area and are looking for Nucs.

Bees from Suppliers

Make a visit in person or order online!

Kelley Beekeeping (Clarkson, KY and online)

Dadant & Sons (Frankfort, KY and online)

Honey for Sale

METHODS TO ACQUIRE HONEY BEES

Packages
Most popular method to acquire bees, in early spring bees are shipped north from the south. Large hives have bees divided into 3 pound packages. A newly mated queen (not related to the bees) is added. Most packages are imports from Southern States. Prices range from $125 - $175 for package bees. There is not any comb, brood, or honey included.

Nucs
A miniature hive with its own laying queen, 4-6 frames of pollen, honey and brood in all stages. Typically the best method to acquire bees. Growth is quick in spring compared to package bees. Overwintering success is increased. Prices range from $140 - $185.

Swarms
Often occur in our area April-June. A swarm is a hive that has had a queen leave with half the bees, looking for a new home. It is bees only, without any comb or brood. If you have spotted a swarm, please visit our Swarm Removal page where we have beekeepers in the area which remove them for free.

Swarm Bait Box
Empty hive bodies with drawn-out comb is attached to a building or tree to attract swarms. The scent of a queen and/or lemongrass oil is often added to attract scout bees.

Trap-outs
Bees are passively trapped without disturbing the structure. An empty box with drawn-out combs is placed at the entrance of the hive with a tube and a one-way exit cone. The trapping takes place over several weeks or months. Catching the queen is often difficult, however bees can be harvested for new starts with queen cells.

Tear-out (Removal)
An established hive in a structure is removed. The bees are removed with a bee vacuum and brood and pollen comb is secured to empty frames. All the comb is removed. Honey is collected and fed back to hive after transporting bees to final location.