Appalachian Apiaries Bee Package 2025 Preorder
A package of bees contains 3 lbs. of worker bees (~10,000 bees), a caged queen, and a can of sugar syrup in a plastic or wooden "bee bus." This is a more budget-friendly option for experienced beekeepers and those with alternative styles of beehive. They require more maintenance and attention in their first weeks to ensure a good season due to a lack of resources and comb.
Appalachian Apiaries produces their packages out of Franklin, NC. They are breed-specific, so they come with an Italian or Carniolan queen and attendant bees. How many we receive of each breed is always up in the air, so you may only indicate your preference for breed. The earlier you preorder your bees, the more likely it is you will receive your preference.
We will start taking bees orders in January 2025, and typically expect them to come in throughout late April and early May, but this depends on the unpredictable Appalachian spring. You will receive monthly updates about the delivery of bees up until they arrive, so be sure you provide current, accurate contact info.
Unlike nucleus colonies, pickup of packages are much less lenient and leisurely. They arrive with short notice and must be picked up as soon as possible, as they can only live in their bee buses for a few days at most.
IN STORE PICKUP ONLY :: We do NOT ship bees. Due to this being a live animal purchase and to ensure the bees find themselves a home, refunds on nucleus colonies, packages, and queens are NOT available.
Price is subject to change as details for the 2025 season are finalized!
When you place an order, we will ESTIMATE shipping and delivery dates for you based on the availability of your items and the shipping options you choose. Depending on the shipping provider you choose, shipping date estimates may appear on the shipping quotes page.
Please also note that the shipping rates for many items we sell are weight-based. The weight of any such item can be found on its detail page. To reflect the policies of the shipping companies we use, all weights will be rounded up to the next full pound.
PLEASE NOTE THAT SHIPPING IS AN ESTIMATE, AND WE MAY CONTACT YOU WITH AN UPDATED PRICE AS WE PROCESS YOUR ORDER. This does not apply to orders being picked up in the store.