Winter Is the Time to Order Spring Bees and Gear: A Planning List
A month-by-month checklist for getting bees and equipment lined up before spring, as of October 2026.
Winter is when to order spring bees and equipment. Utah State University Extension's beekeeping calendar lists January and February for ordering bees and any equipment you need for spring, and Penn State Extension notes that new colonies are most often established in spring. Suppliers set their own order windows and pickup dates, so start asking now and plan to have your decisions made by midwinter.
This is a planning list for new keepers and for anyone adding a hive. It does not name suppliers or dates, because those change every year and we have not verified any.
Why order in winter
Bees are living stock that suppliers deliver on their own spring schedule, so your equipment and decisions have to be ready first. The Utah State University Extension's beekeeping calendar lists a task for January and February: "order bees and any equipment you may need for spring," along with checking existing gear so repairs happen well before the bees arrive. Penn State Extension's Honey Bee Management Throughout the Seasons says establishing new colonies is most often done in the spring.
In practice, that means the decisions come first and the clock starts earlier than most beginners expect. Each supplier sets its own schedule for taking orders and for pickup or shipping, so the safest step is to check theirs now instead of assuming spring is early enough.
A winter-to-spring timeline
| When | What to do | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Now to November | Decide how many hives, which hive style and whether you want a package or a nuc. Check local rules. Join a local association or find a class. | See how many hives to start with, state laws and finding a mentor. |
| December | Take stock of existing gear and note what is damaged or missing. Look up supplier ordering rules. | Our equipment repair guide covers repairs. |
| January to February | Place your bee order and your equipment order, following your supplier's schedule. | The USU calendar puts both in this window. |
| Late winter | Assemble boxes and frames, and set up your hive location. Order feed supplies. | Boxes and frames take longer to build than most people expect. |
| Before pickup | Have the hive built, placed and ready. Read the install guide for your package or nuc. | See installing a package and installing a nuc. |
Supplier dates vary by region and year, so the table follows the pattern, not a calendar. If your supplier opens orders earlier than January, you can usually follow their lead.
Choose what to order
The big choices are covered in detail in our packages, nucs and swarms comparison. At the planning stage, decide these things so you can commit when ordering opens:
- Package or nuc. A package is a screened box of bees and a queen, and a nuc is a small working colony on frames. They install differently and start from different places.
- Hive size and style. Boxes, frames and bottom boards for different sizes do not interchange. Decide once, then buy to match.
- One hive or two. Our guide on how many hives to start with gives the trade-offs.
- Feeding and protective gear. A first-year keeper needs a feeder, a tool, a smoker and protection. The equipment checklist sorts essentials from extras.
Questions to ask a supplier
- When do you open orders, and when do they close?
- What are the pickup or delivery dates, and can I choose among them?
- What exactly is included: queen, frames, number of frames of bees?
- What are the payment, deposit and cancellation terms?
- What happens if bees are delayed by weather?
- Does the supplier offer help or guidance for installation?
- Do you provide inspection records, and what disease checks apply in this state?
Take notes and keep confirmations. Local clubs often know which suppliers deliver reliably near you. If you miss a cutoff, our swarm call list guide explains another way to find bees, though it is less predictable.
Get the gear ready first
Gear should be ready before bees arrive. Build and place the hive, check the site, and have a feeder, tool and protective clothing in hand. If you want to take advantage of sale days for durable gear, our Black Friday sorting guide explains which purchases are safe to wait on and what to check first.
Complete beehive starter kit
Check the hive size, frame count, whether parts are assembled and whether bees are included.
Search AmazonBee feeder
Packages and nucs are often fed after installation, so have a feeder that fits your hive ready.
Search AmazonDecide hive style, number of hives and package or nuc by December, check supplier schedules now, and place bee and equipment orders in the January to February window the Utah State calendar suggests, or earlier if your supplier opens sooner. Have the hive built before the bees arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I order spring bees?
Utah State University Extension's beekeeping calendar lists January and February for ordering bees and spring equipment. Suppliers set their own schedules, so check theirs now.
Can I order bees in October?
That depends on the supplier. Some publish early order windows and some do not. Ask each supplier you are considering.
Should I order the bees or the equipment first?
Bees first, because their delivery date is the one you cannot move. Plan equipment around it so the hive is built before they arrive.
What if I miss a supplier's cutoff?
Ask local clubs and suppliers about cancellations, check other suppliers, or join a swarm call list. These options are less predictable, so do not rely on them.
Do I need to order everything at once?
No. Bees and boxes are separate decisions. But your hive must be ready on the day bees arrive.
- Utah State University Extension's beekeeping calendar: January and February tasks include ordering bees and spring equipment and checking gear.
- Penn State Extension's Honey Bee Management Throughout the Seasons: establishing new colonies is most often done in spring.
Supplier order windows, pickup dates, shipping terms and limits are set by each supplier and change by year and region, and we have not verified any. Confirm them with the supplier and your local beekeeping association before paying.