Are you a beekeeper looking to enhance the productivity and health of your bee colonies? Look no further! We offer a wide selection of live queen bees for sale, ensuring high-quality and healthy queens that will thrive in your hive. Our queens are bred to produce impressive colonies, with manageable temperaments and adaptability to various climates.

At Mann Lake, we understand the importance of selecting the right queen bee variety for your beekeeping goals. That’s why we offer a variety of queen bee breeds, including the Florida-Raised Italian Queen Bee, OHB Carniolan Queen Bee, Southern Bred Russian Hybrid Queen Bee, OHB Saskatraz Queen Bee, OHB Italian Queen Bee, and Florida-Raised Carniolan Queen Bee. Each breed possesses unique qualities suitable for different climates and levels of beekeeping experience.

When you purchase live queen bees from Mann Lake, you can trust that you are getting healthy queens that are ready to lead your colony to success. We provide convenient online shopping and shipping options, making it easy for you to get the queens you need.

Key Takeaways:

• Our live queen bees are bred to produce impressive colonies and adapt to various climates.
• We offer a variety of queen bee breeds suitable for different beekeeping goals and levels of experience.
• Mann Lake guarantees healthy queens and provides convenient online shopping and shipping options.
• Investing in high-quality queens can significantly improve the success of your beekeeping endeavors.
• Choose Mann Lake for reliable, high-quality live queen bees.

Where to Find Live Queen Bees: Queen Bee Suppliers and Breeders

If you’re looking to purchase live queen bees, there are several reputable suppliers and breeders available. Mann Lake offers a wide selection of queen bees for sale online, ensuring high-quality and healthy queens. Additionally, API Holdings LLC is recognized as one of the top queen bee breeders in the United States, offering Italian Hygienic, Cordovan, and Carniolan queen bees for beekeeping or crop pollination. Another option is Wildflower Meadows, known for their VSH-Italian queens bred for mite resistance, gentleness, and rapid spring buildup. These suppliers and breeders provide reliable sources for purchasing live queen bees.

H3: Queen Bee Suppliers and Breeders

Supplier/Breeder	Queen Bee Varieties	Specializations	Website
Mann Lake	Florida-Raised Italian Queen Bee, OHB Carniolan Queen Bee, Southern Bred Russian Hybrid Queen Bee, OHB Saskatraz Queen Bee, OHB Italian Queen Bee, Florida-Raised Carniolan Queen Bee	Online sales, high-quality queens	www.mannlakeltd.com
API Holdings LLC	Italian Hygienic, Cordovan, Carniolan	Top queen bee breeder in the US	www.apiholdingsllc.com
Wildflower Meadows	VSH-Italian	Mite resistance, gentleness, rapid spring buildup	www.wildflowermeadows.com

When purchasing live queen bees, it’s essential to do your research and choose a reliable supplier or breeder. These sources not only offer a variety of queen bee breeds but also prioritize the health and quality of their queens. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced beekeeper, these suppliers and breeders can provide the live queen bees you need to enhance your beekeeping success.

Queen Bee Prices: How Much Do Live Queen Bees Cost?

When considering purchasing live queen bees, it’s important to understand the pricing and factors that can influence the cost. The price of a single queen bee can range from $30 to $45 on average. However, it’s essential to remember that the value of a healthy and high-quality queen bee goes beyond the initial investment.

Investing in a live queen bee is a crucial step in maintaining a thriving colony. The genetics, breed, and specific traits of the queen bee can all contribute to the overall health and productivity of the hive. Factors such as honey production, resistance to mites, adaptability to different climates, and good temperament are all qualities that can positively impact the success of your beekeeping endeavors.

Reputable suppliers and breeders take great care in selecting and breeding queen bees with desirable traits, ensuring that you receive a queen bee that is well-suited for your specific beekeeping needs. While the price of a live queen bee may seem high at first, the long-term benefits and improvements to your beekeeping operation make it a worthwhile investment.

Cost Factors	Average Price Range
Breed and Genetics	$30 to $45
Specific Traits and Qualities	Varies
Supplier and Demand	Varies

The table above provides a general overview of the cost factors and average price range for live queen bees. Keep in mind that pricing may vary depending on the supplier, breed, and specific traits you’re looking for. It’s essential to do your research and connect with reputable suppliers and breeders who prioritize the health and quality of their queen bees.

How to Buy Queen Bees: Order Process and Considerations

If you’re interested in purchasing live queen bees, there are a few important considerations and steps to follow. Here’s a guide on how to buy queen bees:

1. Determine your beekeeping goals and climate: Before buying queen bees, it’s essential to consider the breed and traits that align with your beekeeping goals and the specific climate of your region. Certain queen bee varieties may be better suited for colder climates, while others thrive in warmer environments.

2. Research reputable suppliers or breeders: Look for reputable suppliers or breeders that offer the specific variety of queen bees you’re interested in. Check their reputation, customer reviews, and any certifications they may have. It’s important to choose a reliable source to ensure you receive healthy and high-quality queens.

3. Check availability and shipping dates: Once you’ve identified potential suppliers or breeders, check their availability and shipping dates. Some may have specific seasons or limited quantities for certain varieties. Ensure that the timing aligns with your beekeeping schedule and that they can deliver the queens at the right time.

4. Place your order and make payment: Once you’ve found a suitable supplier or breeder and confirmed the availability and shipping dates, you can proceed to place your order. Most suppliers allow online ordering and accept payment through methods such as PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, or check/money order. Make sure to provide accurate information and complete the payment process.

5. Be prepared for introduction: It’s essential to be prepared for introducing the new queen bee to your hive. Ensure that your hive is suitably queenless and receptive to the new queen. Take the necessary steps to minimize aggression and rejection. Monitor the introduction process closely to ensure the queen’s successful acceptance into the colony.

Supplier/Breeder	Queen Bee Varieties	Shipping Availability	Payment Methods
Mann Lake	Florida-Raised Italian Queen Bee, OHB Carniolan Queen Bee, Southern Bred Russian Hybrid Queen Bee, OHB Saskatraz Queen Bee, OHB Italian Queen Bee, and Florida-Raised Carniolan Queen Bee	Online shipping available	PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, check/money order
API Holdings LLC	Italian Hygienic, Cordovan, and Carniolan Queen Bees	Shipping available	Visa/Mastercard, check/money order
Wildflower Meadows	VSH-Italian queens bred for mite resistance	Shipping available	PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, check/money order

Buying queen bees requires careful consideration and attention to detail. By following these steps and choosing reputable suppliers or breeders, you can ensure that you obtain healthy and high-quality queens for your beekeeping endeavors.

Benefits of Live Queen Bees: Enhancing Beekeeping Success

Introducing live queen bees into your beekeeping endeavors can have numerous benefits. High-quality queen bees are bred to produce impressive colonies, with desirable traits such as honey production, winter hardiness, resistance to mites, good temperament, and pest resistance. The introduction of healthy and productive queens can enhance the overall success of your beekeeping operation by increasing honey yields, improving colony strength, and promoting good hive management.

By investing in live queen bees, beekeepers have the opportunity to select breeds that are specifically suited to their climate and beekeeping goals. Different queen bee varieties possess unique qualities that make them more adaptable to specific environmental conditions and management practices. For example, if you live in a colder climate, choosing a queen bee breed known for its winter hardiness can help ensure the survival and productivity of your colony during the colder months.

Additionally, live queen bees play a crucial role in maintaining the health and genetic diversity of bee populations. Queen bees are responsible for laying eggs, and their genetics influence the traits and characteristics of the entire colony. By selecting high-quality queens with desirable traits, beekeepers can help improve overall colony health, resistance to pests and diseases, and honey production.

Benefits of Live Queen Bees
Increased honey yields
Improved colony strength
Promotion of good hive management
Adaptability to different climates
Resistance to mites and pests
Enhanced genetic diversity

By prioritizing the purchase of live queen bees, beekeepers can reap the benefits of healthier, more productive colonies. These benefits extend to the overall success and sustainability of beekeeping, contributing to the preservation of bee populations and the vital role they play in pollination and ecosystem health.

Queen Bee Rearing and Breeding: Ensuring Quality Queens

Queen bee rearing and breeding is a meticulous process that requires expertise and attention to detail. Many reputable suppliers and breeders have invested in their own queen rearing operations to ensure the production of high-quality queens. These operations involve selecting the best breeding stock, monitoring the maturation process, and providing optimal conditions for the queen bee’s development. Quality queens are crucial for maintaining healthy and productive bee colonies, and careful breeding and rearing practices contribute to the overall success of beekeeping operations.

During the queen bee rearing process, breeders carefully select the most desirable traits and genetics to create strong and resilient queens. They use specific techniques and methods to ensure the quality and health of the queens, such as grafting larvae from selected colonies into special queen cups or using instrumental insemination to control genetics. By focusing on specific traits like honey production, temperament, disease resistance, and overwintering abilities, breeders can produce queens that are well-suited to various climates and beekeeping goals.

The rearing and breeding of queen bees require a deep understanding of bee biology and behavior. Breeders must closely monitor the development of the queen larvae, ensuring they receive adequate nutrition and a controlled environment that promotes optimal growth. They also implement strategies to prevent inbreeding and maintain genetic diversity, such as introducing new genetic material through queen mating yards or cooperative breeding programs. Through these practices, breeders aim to produce queens that not only excel in performance but also contribute positively to the overall health and diversity of bee populations.

In summary, queen bee rearing and breeding is a critical aspect of beekeeping that directly impacts the success and productivity of colonies. Reputable breeders and suppliers invest significant time and effort into ensuring the production of high-quality and healthy queens. By selecting for desirable traits and practicing careful breeding techniques, these professionals contribute to the overall resilience, adaptability, and genetic diversity of honey bee populations.

The Importance of Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) Trait in Queen Bees

The Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) trait in queen bees is of utmost importance when it comes to ensuring the health and vitality of bee colonies. Queen bees with the VSH trait possess a unique ability to detect and remove bee pupae infested with varroa mites. By doing so, these queens help to control and manage mite populations, reducing their impact on the colony. Additionally, the VSH trait contributes to overall hive hygiene and resistance against other bee diseases such as American Foulbrood and Chalkbrood.

When queen bees exhibit the VSH trait, they play a vital role in maintaining the strength and productivity of the colony. By actively removing varroa mites and preventing their reproduction, these queens help to preserve the overall health of the hive. This trait is particularly valuable in areas where varroa mite infestations are common, as it provides a natural defense mechanism against these detrimental pests.

“The Varroa Sensitive Hygiene trait in queen bees is crucial for maintaining the health and longevity of honeybee colonies. By identifying and eliminating varroa mites, VSH queens contribute to the overall success of beekeeping operations.” – Beekeeping expert

Advantages of the VSH Trait

Queen bees with the VSH trait offer several advantages for beekeepers:

• Effective varroa mite control: With their ability to detect and remove infested pupae, VSH queens help to keep mite populations under control, reducing the negative impact on colony health.
• Improved hive hygiene: The VSH trait not only targets varroa mites but also promotes good overall hive hygiene, reducing the likelihood of other bee diseases.
• Reduced chemical intervention: By naturally managing varroa mite populations, VSH queens can decrease the need for chemical treatments, providing a more sustainable approach to beekeeping.
• Longevity of colonies: Healthier colonies with reduced varroa mite infestations have a higher likelihood of surviving and thriving, leading to increased honey production and overall beekeeping success.

Overall, queen bees with the Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) trait play a critical role in maintaining the health and vitality of honeybee colonies. By selecting and breeding queens with this valuable trait, beekeepers can enhance the resilience of their hives and contribute to the long-term sustainability of beekeeping practices.

Advantages of VSH Trait	Description
Effective varroa mite control	Queen bees with the VSH trait actively detect and remove varroa mites, helping to control mite populations.
Improved hive hygiene	The VSH trait promotes good overall hive hygiene, reducing the risk of other bee diseases.
Reduced chemical intervention	By naturally managing varroa mites, VSH queens decrease the need for chemical treatments.
Longevity of colonies	Healthier colonies with reduced varroa mite infestations have a higher chance of survival and increased honey production.

Live Queen Bee Shipping: Ensuring Safe Delivery

When purchasing live queen bees, ensuring their safe delivery is of utmost importance. Reputable suppliers and breeders take great care in packaging the bees for shipping, minimizing stress and providing suitable conditions during transit. Choosing a shipping method that guarantees timely delivery, often overnight, is essential to limit the time the bees spend in transit.

Proper packaging and coordination with shipping carriers help ensure that the live queen bees arrive in good health and ready for introduction to the hive. It is recommended to select a supplier or breeder that prioritizes the safety and well-being of the bees during transportation.

Shipping Considerations for Live Queen Bees

• Choose a shipping method that guarantees quick delivery of the live queen bees.
• Ensure the bees are packaged in a secure and well-ventilated container.
• Coordinate with the shipping carrier to minimize the time the bees spend in transit.
• Check the weather conditions to avoid extreme temperatures during shipping.
• Track the shipment and be prepared to receive the live queen bees as soon as they arrive.

By following these shipping considerations, beekeepers can ensure the safe and healthy delivery of live queen bees, setting the foundation for successful beekeeping endeavors.

Importance of Healthy Queens in Beekeeping

Healthy queens are the cornerstone of successful beekeeping operations. As the primary egg layer in the hive, a healthy queen ensures the colony’s strength and productivity. A queen bee that is in good health and performing optimally will lay a sufficient number of eggs, ensuring a robust population of worker bees. This, in turn, contributes to increased honey yields and overall colony success.

In addition to maintaining population size, healthy queens also contribute to the overall health and disease resistance of the hive. Queens that have been bred for desirable traits, such as varroa mite resistance or hygienic behavior, can help protect the colony from common threats. With the ability to detect and remove varroa-infested bee pupae, queens with the Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) trait play a crucial role in managing mite populations and reducing the impact of these destructive parasites.

Regular monitoring of the queen’s health and performance is essential for sustainable beekeeping. Beekeepers should observe the queen’s egg-laying patterns, ensuring she is producing a consistent supply of eggs. A decrease in egg laying or the presence of spotty brood patterns may indicate a queen health issue that needs to be addressed promptly. By prioritizing the health and quality of their queens, beekeepers can mitigate the risks of colony decline, disease susceptibility, and poor productivity.

“A healthy queen bee is the foundation of a thriving bee colony. Without a healthy queen, the colony’s population and productivity will suffer. Investing in high-quality queens and monitoring their health is vital for sustainable and successful beekeeping.”

Table: Common Traits of Healthy Queens

Trait	Description
Consistent Egg Laying	A healthy queen will lay a steady supply of eggs, ensuring a strong population of worker bees.
Varroa Mite Resistance	Queens with mite resistance traits, such as VSH, help manage and control varroa mite populations in the hive.
Hygienic Behavior	Queens with hygienic behavior traits detect and remove infested or diseased brood, promoting overall hive health.
Gentle Temperament	A queen with a gentle temperament reduces the risk of aggression and stinging incidents in the hive.
Longevity	A healthy queen has a longer lifespan, ensuring a stable egg-laying capacity and colony sustainability.

By prioritizing the health and quality of their queens, beekeepers can set a strong foundation for their beekeeping endeavors. Healthy queens contribute to overall colony strength, disease resistance, and productivity, ultimately leading to successful and sustainable beekeeping operations.

Queen Bee Availability and Ordering Considerations

When it comes to purchasing live queen bees, availability is an important factor to consider. Queen bee availability can vary depending on the supplier and the breeding season. It’s recommended to check with reputable suppliers and breeders for their current stock and shipping dates. Many of these suppliers provide an online calendar indicating the available dates for shipping live queen bees. By planning ahead and staying updated on queen bee availability, you can ensure that you secure the desired queens for your beekeeping endeavors.

It’s also essential to consider the ordering process when purchasing live queen bees online. Reputable suppliers and breeders usually have a straightforward online ordering system. You’ll need to select the desired queen bee breed, quantity, and provide the necessary information for shipping and payment. Some suppliers may have minimum order quantities, typically five or more queen bees. Accepted payment methods typically include PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, or check/money order. By familiarizing yourself with the ordering process and ensuring all required information is provided, you can facilitate a smooth and efficient ordering experience.

To ensure the availability of live queen bees, it’s recommended to plan your beekeeping activities and queen bee orders in advance. By considering the breeding season and availability calendars provided by suppliers, you can align your order with the desired shipping dates. Additionally, staying connected with suppliers and breeders through their websites or newsletters can help you stay informed about any updates or changes in queen bee availability. By taking these considerations into account, you can increase your chances of obtaining the live queen bees you need for your beekeeping success.

Queen Bee Availability Calendar Example:

Supplier/Breeder	Queen Bee Breed	Available Shipping Dates
Mann Lake	Italian Queen Bee	May 1st – July 31st
API Holdings LLC	Carniolan Queen Bee	June 15th – August 15th
Wildflower Meadows	VSH-Italian Queen Bee	April 15th – June 15th

Live Queen Bee Care and Management Tips

Proper care and management of live queen bees are essential for their success in the hive. When introducing a queen bee to a colony, it’s crucial to ensure that the hive is receptive and queenless to prevent aggression or rejection. Regular inspections and monitoring of the queen’s performance and laying patterns are important to ensure she’s healthy and productive. Providing suitable conditions, such as adequate food supply and hive ventilation, further supports the queen’s success. Beekeepers should also be prepared to address any issues or diseases that may arise and take appropriate actions to maintain colony health.

To effectively care for live queen bees, beekeepers must establish a proper routine of inspections and monitoring. Regularly checking on the queen’s health and behavior allows for early detection of any potential issues. This includes ensuring she is actively laying eggs and that the brood pattern is consistent and healthy. If any abnormalities are observed, such as spotty brood patterns or lack of egg laying, prompt action should be taken to address the problem.

Feeding the hive with a sufficient supply of nectar or sugar syrup is crucial for the queen’s well-being. Adequate nutrition supports her egg-laying abilities and overall vitality. Beekeepers should regularly assess the hive’s food stores and provide supplemental feeding when necessary, especially during periods of nectar dearth or in preparation for winter. Additionally, maintaining proper hive ventilation helps regulate temperature and humidity levels, creating a comfortable environment for the queen and her colony.

Quotes:

“Regular inspections and monitoring of the queen’s performance and laying patterns are important to ensure she’s healthy and productive.”

Table 11.1: Common Queen Bee Health Issues and Solutions

Health Issues	Solutions
Poor brood pattern	Ensure proper nutrition, requeen if necessary
Mite infestation	Treat with appropriate methods, such as using formic acid or oxalic acid
Queen failure or loss	Introduce a new queen or allow the colony to raise a new queen
Disease outbreaks (e.g., American Foulbrood)	Isolate affected hive, burn infected frames, and take appropriate measures to prevent further spread

By prioritizing the care and management of live queen bees, beekeepers can ensure the health and productivity of their colonies. Regular inspections, proper nutrition, and favorable hive conditions all contribute to the success of the queen and her hive. With diligent care, beekeepers can enjoy thriving colonies and the benefits of high honey production and overall hive strength.

Conclusion

Live queen bees are valuable assets in successful beekeeping operations. By purchasing high-quality and healthy queens, beekeepers can enhance honey production, strengthen colonies, and promote overall hive health. It’s essential to consider the breed, traits, and availability when buying queen bees, as well as ensure proper care and management in the hive.

Reputable suppliers and breeders provide a variety of queen bee options and convenient online ordering, allowing beekeepers to access the queens they need to support their beekeeping endeavors effectively. With their expertise and commitment to producing healthy and productive queens, these suppliers and breeders ensure a reliable source for the beekeeping community.

Investing in live queen bees is an investment in the future of your beekeeping operation. Selecting queens with desirable traits, such as disease resistance and strong genetics, contributes to the long-term success and sustainability of your colony. By prioritizing the health and quality of your queens, you can create thriving bee colonies and enjoy the rewards of productive and resilient hives.