This decision has the single biggest impact on your first-year success. Research consistently shows that how you acquire your bees—package, nuc, or swarm—directly correlates with survival rates. Get this wrong, and you're statistically likely to be starting over next spring.
Let's break down each option so you can make the right choice for your situation.
Package Bees: The Budget Option
A package is exactly what it sounds like: a screened wooden box containing approximately 10,000 bees (3 pounds) and a separately caged queen. The bees are shaken from donor colonies in the South, and the queen is typically from a separate breeding operation.
What You Get
- 3 lbs of worker bees (roughly 10,000 individuals)
- One mated queen in a separate cage
- A can of sugar syrup for transit feeding
- No comb, no brood, no honey stores
Package Pricing (2025)
| Supplier Type | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Major suppliers (Mann Lake, Dadant) | $140–$160 | Italian genetics, shipped |
| Regional suppliers | $150–$180 | May offer pickup |
| Premium genetics (VSH, Russian) | $175–$200 | Varroa-resistant stock |
The Problem with Packages
Here's the uncomfortable truth: packages have roughly a 38% first-year survival rate for new beekeepers. That's not a typo. More than 6 out of 10 package installations fail before the next spring.
Why such poor odds?
- Queen acceptance issues — The queen is a stranger to the workers. Sometimes they kill her.
- No head start — Bees must draw all comb from scratch before the queen can lay. That's 3-4 weeks of delay.
- Shipping stress — Transit mortality and heat exposure weaken the colony before it begins.
- Southern genetics — Bees bred in Georgia or California may not thrive in Minnesota winters.
⚠️ When Packages Make Sense
Packages aren't all bad. They're your best option if: you're in a remote area with no local nuc suppliers, you need bees shipped directly to you, or you're on a strict budget and understand the risks. They're also guaranteed disease-free since there's no comb to harbor pathogens.
Nucleus Colonies: The Smart Investment
A nucleus colony (nuc) is a miniature working hive—typically 5 frames of drawn comb with brood in all stages, honey and pollen stores, a laying queen, and enough workers to cover the frames. It's not just bees; it's a functioning colony.
What You Get
- 5 frames of drawn comb (worker-built, ready to use)
- 2-3 frames of brood in all stages (eggs, larvae, capped)
- 1-2 frames of honey and pollen
- A proven, laying queen the bees have already accepted
- 3-4 week head start over packages
Nuc Pricing (2025)
| Nuc Type | Price Range | Survival Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 5-frame nuc | $175–$225 | ~60% |
| Overwintered local nuc | $225–$290 | ~77% |
| Premium genetics (VSH, Saskatraz) | $250–$325 | Varies |
Why Overwintered Nucs Are Worth the Premium
The 77% vs 38% survival stat comes from comparing overwintered local nucs to shipped packages. An overwintered nuc means:
- Proven genetics — The queen has already survived a local winter
- Local adaptation — Bees are acclimated to your region's nectar flow and climate
- Healthy stock — The beekeeper has already managed mites through a season
- No shipping stress — You pick up locally
Yes, you'll pay $50-100 more than a package. But when your package-buying neighbor is ordering replacement bees in June (another $150+), you'll be adding your first honey super.
💡 Pro Tip: Frame Compatibility
Catching Swarms: Free Bees (With a Catch)
Swarms are colonies in transition—a queen and roughly half the workers from an established hive looking for a new home. They're often described as "free bees," and catching one can be exhilarating.
The Appeal
- Cost: $0 (if you catch them yourself)
- Local genetics — They survived in your area
- Motivated builders — Swarms are primed to draw comb quickly
- Fun factor — Nothing beats your first swarm catch
The Reality Check
For beginners, swarms are not a reliable way to start beekeeping:
- Unpredictable timing — Swarm season is April-June in most regions, but you can't schedule them
- Unknown genetics — Could be gentle Italians, could be hot mutts, could be Africanized (in southern states)
- Unknown health — No way to assess mite load or disease history
- Queen age unknown — She might be 3 years old and about to fail
- May abscond — Swarms sometimes leave their new home within 48 hours
🎯 Best Use of Swarms
Swarms make excellent second or third colonies once you have experience. Put yourself on your local beekeeping association's swarm call list, and treat caught swarms as bonus bees rather than your primary stock.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Factor | Package | Nuc | Swarm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $140–$200 | $175–$290 | Free |
| First-Year Survival | ~38% | ~77% | Variable |
| Queen Acceptance | Risk of rejection | Already accepted | Already accepted |
| Drawn Comb | None | 5 frames | None |
| Existing Brood | None | 2-3 frames | None |
| Time to Build Up | 6-8 weeks | 2-4 weeks | 6-8 weeks |
| Local Adaptation | Usually not | If overwintered | Yes |
| Disease Risk | Low (no comb) | Moderate | Unknown |
| Can Ship? | Yes (USPS) | Limited | No |
| First Honey Likely? | No (Year 1) | Possible | No (Year 1) |
When to Order Your Bees
Timing is critical. Here's the annual cycle you need to understand:
| Month | What's Happening |
|---|---|
| November–December | Suppliers open pre-orders. Best selection. |
| January | Prime ordering window. Popular nucs selling out. |
| February | Many quality suppliers sold out. Scramble begins. |
| March–April | Southern packages ship. Early nucs available in warm regions. |
| April–May | Prime installation window for most of the US. |
| June | Late for starting new colonies in northern regions. |
🚨 Don't Wait Until Spring
The #1 beginner mistake is waiting until March or April to look for bees. By then, the best local suppliers are sold out, and you're stuck with whatever packages are left. Order in January at the latest.
Reputable Suppliers by Region
Below are established suppliers known for quality bees. This isn't an exhaustive list—your local beekeeping association is always the best source for truly local nucs.
🌲 Northeast
- Betterbee (Greenwich, NY) — Nucs, packages, queens. Excellent educational resources.
- Hudson Valley Bee Supply (NY) — Local nucs, overwintered when available.
- Your state beekeeping association — Check their spring nuc sales.
🌴 Southeast
- Rossman Apiaries (Moultrie, GA) — Large operation, ships packages nationwide.
- Miller Bee Supply (Colby, NC) — Packages and nucs.
- Blythewood Bee Company (SC) — Known for quality Saskatraz genetics.
🌽 Midwest
- Lappe's Bee Supply (East Peru, IA) — Regional packages and nucs for the Midwest.
- Dadant & Sons (Hamilton, IL) — Historic supplier since 1863. Packages.
- Local bee clubs — Midwest has strong association networks with member nuc sales.
🏔️ West
- Mann Lake (Multiple locations) — Major supplier, good for packages.
- Olivarez Honey Bees (Orland, CA) — Premium queens and packages. VSH and Saskatraz genetics.
- Kona Queen Hawaii — Ships queens to the mainland, known for gentle Italians.
🔍 Finding Local Nucs
Buying Queens Separately
You don't typically need to buy a queen as a beginner—your package or nuc comes with one. But here's when you might need to order a replacement:
- Your queen dies or fails (stops laying, only lays drones)
- The colony becomes "hot" (aggressive) and you want to change the genetics
- You want to requeen before winter with younger, proven stock
- You're splitting hives and need additional queens
Queen Pricing (2025)
| Queen Type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Italian (standard) | $35–$45 | Gentle, productive, most common |
| Carniolan | $40–$50 | Great for cold climates |
| VSH (Varroa Sensitive Hygiene) | $45–$60 | Mite-resistant genetics |
| Saskatraz | $50–$65 | Hardy, productive, mite-tolerant |
| Russian | $45–$55 | Mite-resistant, can be defensive |
| Instrumentally Inseminated (II) | $75–$150+ | Breeder quality, specific genetics |
Queens ship via USPS Priority Mail and typically arrive within 2-3 days. They come in small cages with a few attendant workers and a candy plug. See our requeening guide for installation instructions.
Red Flags: What to Avoid
Not all bee sellers are created equal. Watch out for these warning signs:
No health guarantee or replacement policy
Can't tell you the queen's genetics or age
Prices way below market rate
Won't let you inspect before purchase
Craigslist/Facebook sellers with no reputation
Our Recommendation
If you're reading this before January, here's exactly what to do:
- 1 Join your state/local beekeeping association — Membership is usually $15-30/year and gives you access to mentors and member nuc sales.
- 2 Ask for overwintered nuc recommendations — Email the club or ask at the next meeting.
- 3 Order two nucs — Two hives let you compare, share resources, and survive if one fails.
- 4 Pay the deposit — Most nuc sales require a $50-100 deposit to hold your spot.
- 5 Get your equipment ready — You'll have until April/May to assemble and paint your hives.
If you're reading this in February or later and local nucs are sold out, packages from established suppliers like Mann Lake, Betterbee, or Dadant are your backup. Just go in with eyes open about the survival statistics, and be prepared to feed heavily and monitor closely.