REFERENCE
Where to Buy Bees: State-by-State Supplier Guide (2026)
Package bees and nucs — how to find reputable local suppliers, when to order, and what questions to ask.
Ordering Timeline: The Most Important Rule
Order in January–February
Packages and nucs sell out extremely fast — most suppliers take deposits from November. Missing the January–February window means no bees until the following spring.
Package vs Nuc
Packages ($35–$55) ship by mail nationwide. Nucleus colonies ($130–$170) come from local suppliers only, are stronger, and establish 4–6 weeks faster than packages.
Verify your supplier
Ask your local beekeeping club for personal recommendations before ordering from any supplier you haven't vetted. Firsthand experience is the best filter.
How to Find Suppliers in Your State
Your state beekeeping association
Every US state has an association with a member supplier directory. Search "[your state] beekeeping association."
State department of agriculture
Most state ag departments maintain lists of registered and certified apiarists — the most vetted source available.
Your local beekeeping club
Personal recommendations from beekeepers with firsthand supplier experience. The single most reliable method.
USDA Bee Informed Partnership
National resource with regional contacts. Visit beeinformed.org for current regional supplier information.
Land-grant university extension
Penn State, Cornell, University of Florida, and other state extensions maintain current supplier lists for beekeepers.
State Supplier Directory
6 Questions to Ask Every Supplier
Are you registered with the state department of agriculture?
Registered suppliers are subject to state inspection and must meet minimum standards for colony health and record-keeping.
Has your stock been inspected for American Foulbrood this season?
A reputable supplier will have current inspection records and should share them without hesitation.
What race or genetics are your bees?
Specify Italian or Carniolan — ask directly if in south Texas, Florida, or Arizona where Africanized bee presence is a concern.
Do you offer a live-arrival guarantee?
Most reputable package suppliers replace dead-on-arrival queens or entire packages if mortality exceeds normal shipping losses.
What is the specific pickup or delivery date?
Get a date window, not "sometime in April." Bees arriving too early or too late for your local nectar flow creates problems.
Can I inspect the colony before pickup?
Seeing calm bees on drawn comb with visible brood confirms health better than any description over the phone.