Product Overview
Where To Buy 3 lb. Package Live Honey Bees with Marked Buckfast Queen
"Please note: these package bees will be available for pick up Spring 2027"
Package bees need to be transported to your bee hive location in a cool, protected area with plenty of ventilation and out of the sun. If your package(s) are in a tightly enclosed location without sufficient air flow, they will get seriously overheated, which can kill the bees or ruin your queens laying ability.
Looking for a reliable source to purchase top-quality package honey bees? Your search ends here at Lappe's Bee Supply and Honey Farm LLC. We are currently accepting orders for our highly sought-after 3-pound bee packages, which come with exceptional Buckfast Hybrid queens. These iowabees packages will be ready for pick-up in Spring 2027, so make sure to secure your order soon as they tend to sell out rapidly!
What sets our bee packages apart? Well, apart from being the finest package bees on the market, we believe in transparency. The price you see is the price you pay. There are no concealed charges, and the package price includes sales tax. With our packages, you'll receive all the essential honey bees required for a thriving hive. This includes nurse bees, foragers, guards, drones, and, of course, a young Buckfast queen enclosed in a hanging queen cage. It's everything you need to kickstart your beekeeping journey!
Whether you're a seasoned beekeeper or just starting out, our package honey bees are perfect for anyone looking to expand or begin their apiary. With our exceptional bees and comprehensive packages, you'll have everything you need to establish a thriving colony and enjoy the rewards of beekeeping. Don't miss out on this opportunity to acquire superior package honey bees. Place your order now with Lappe's Bee Supply and get ready to embark on an exciting and rewarding beekeeping adventure in Spring 2027!
If you are ordering other beekeeping equipment that you would like to pick up at the same time as your package(s), please feel free to place on the same order; however, if you would like to order other equipment and have it shipped to you ahead of time, please place on a separate order from your package(s).
Lappe's Bee Supply offers a highest quality guarantee on each package of honey bees. If not completely satisfied with the package at the time of pick up, the customer does not have to accept the package, and they can have a complete refund of their purchase price. The customer must accept the package OR the complete refund; we do not allow anyone to have a complete refund AND keep the package(s). All packages are the same and will be handed out in turn; we do not have time to sort through the packages to find the one that the customer is most happy with. The highest quality guarantee ends when the customer leaves with the package(s) of bees, anything that happens with the package at that time and thereafter is totally the customer's responsibility. THIS APPLIES TO PACKAGE BEES THAT ARE PICKED UP IN IOWA, DIRECTLY FROM LAPPE'S BEE SUPPLY ONLY.
Package Honey Bees Terms & Conditions
We have handy instructions here on how to install your package honey bees into your bee hive.
Buckfast Hybrid Honey Bees Information
Buckfast Hybrid Honey Bees are a really well regarded strain that just happens to do an amazing job of producing lots of honey, adapting to different conditions and being super friendly. Much like Saskatraz queens, Buckfast queens have been bred to produce a ton of honey, keep their hives going strong even through winter, and fight off pests like Varroa mites way better than other bees. They're prolific egg layers, and with a steady stream of new bees all summer long, they build a robust workforce that lets them bring in tons of nectar and pollen when the flowers are in bloom. Strong hives of Buckfast bees do a great job of fighting off pests like wax moths - which is just one of the reasons they're so good at keeping their hives healthy.
When you get a new bee package, we always strongly recommend feeding your bees with sugar syrup right off the bat to help get them going on building comb. This gets them producing beeswax and drawing out comb on the frames way faster, letting the queen get started laying eggs sooner. Plus, Buckfast bees will adapt to almost any climate, and they're pretty good at making it through the winter. While they do a really good job against mites, you still need to treat for them in the spring and fall, because there is no bee that is completely mite resistant, and treating your hive will keep them healthy and strong. And one other bonus - they don't make a lot of propolis, which means your hive stays nice and clean and you've got a healthy population of worker bees. The mix of different genetics in Buckfast bees - mostly with an Italian mix - is what makes them pretty variable when it comes to what they look like, ranging from light yellow to black tipped tiger stripe coloring. All told, Buckfast Hybrid Honey Bees are a seriously top choice for beekeepers who want a strain that wont let you down.
Everything You Need to Know about Buckfast Bees: A Detailed Review
Buckfast Honey Bees - a real game changer in the world of beekeeping. Developed at the famous Buckfast Abbey in England, this strain of honey bees is renowned for their outstanding performance and unbeatable ease of management. Beekeepers and enthusiasts alike just can't get enough of Buckfast bees, and it's easy to see why - they're a real powerhouse, delivering impressive results in all sorts of environments, making them a clear favorite among beekeepers.
The Lowdown on Buckfast Honey Bees - What Makes Them So Good?
Buckfast Honey Bees have got a range of qualities that make them a top pick for beekeepers. Here's a rundown of what to expect:
- Gentleness and Easy Handling: Buckfast bees are super laid back and easy to handle, which is a real blessing for both beginners and old hands alike.
- Exceptional Winter Hardiness: Adapted to a range of different climates, Buckfast bees have got a seriously impressive ability to navigate harsh winters, which means they're a great choice for beekeepers who live in areas with long, cold winters.
- Peak Honey Production: These bees are absolute honey machines, producing up to 150 pounds of the good stuff every year, with some of them churning out even more during peak flow seasons.
Buckfast bees are also more resistant to pests and diseases, including pesky Varroa mites, which makes treating for mites in the spring and fall even more effective! Their natural clean habits also reduce the risk of brood diseases, making them a reliable choice for sustainable beekeeping. And as an added bonus, Buckfast bees tend to keep their hive populations stable, which helps cut down on management tasks for beekeepers.
The Science Behind Buckfast Honey Bees
The Buckfast breeding program is a real labor of love, with a focus on careful selection for hardiness and productivity. Here's a little more about what's behind this incredible strain of honey bee:
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Choosing The Best Of The Best: Selective breeding is key to producing high-yielding colonies that can thrive in a range of conditions.
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Genetic Diversity Is Key: By crossing different subspecies of honeybee, Buckfast bees benefit from a super diverse genetic background, which helps them adapt and thrive.
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Superior Queens: As a result of this dedicated breeding program, Buckfast queens are available for purchase with a load of fantastic traits, including high honey production, superior overwintering, and a temperament that's easy to handle.
Buckfast Honey Bees - Outstanding Honey Production and Wintering Ability
Buckfast Honey Bees are total rockstars when it comes to honey production and wintering, making them a top choice for beekeepers in all sorts of climates. Here are some of the highlights:
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Honey Production That's Off The Charts: These bees typically produce between 100-150 pounds of honey every year, with some of them churning out even more during peak honey flows.
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Wintering Ability and Survival Rate:
- With a winter survival rate of up to 90%, Buckfast bees are well-equipped to handle even the harshest of winters, provided they've got enough honey stores to see them through.
- To help your Buckfast colonies survive the winter, make sure you provide at least 60-80 pounds of honey stores, and take precautions like reducing the hive entrance and making sure there's enough air flow.
Health and Disease Resistance - Buckfast Honey Bees Are the Real Deal
Buckfast Honey Bees are total superstars when it comes to staying healthy and fighting off disease. Here's a rundown of what to expect:
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Varroa Mite Tolerance:
- Their genetic makeup gives them a good immunity to Varroa mites, which are a real nuisance in beekeeping.
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Resistance to Diseases:
- Buckfast bees are highly resistant to diseases like American Foulbrood and other brood-related issues, which means hives stay healthier, happier and more productive.
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Healthy Habits:
- Their natural cleanliness helps control brood diseases, promoting colony health and reducing the need for chemical interventions.
With all these health attributes, it's no wonder that Buckfast Honey Bees are the go-to choice for beekeepers who want high productivity with minimal disease management!
How to Keep Buckfast Colonies Thriving
To get the most out of your Buckfast Honey Bee colonies, it's essential to adopt effective management practices. Here are some top tips:
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Regular Inspections:
- Conduct inspections every week to catch any signs of disease or pest infestations early doors.
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Feeding and Swarm Prevention:
- Offer sugar syrup or pollen supplements during times of nectar scarcity to keep your bees happy and healthy.
- To prevent swarming, which can reduce the colony's productivity, add frames for space, remove queen cells, or consider splitting the colony.
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Hive Management:
- Ensure proper ventilation and insulation in the hives to safeguard against moisture and promote winter survival.
- When diagnosing issues within the hive, avoid making multiple changes at once. This approach helps in identifying the root cause of any behavioral changes without introducing too many variables.
By following these management practices, you can harness the incredible traits of Buckfast Honey Bees to achieve successful and sustainable apiculture.
FAQs
Are Buckfast Bees Suitable for Novice Beekeepers?
Buckfast bees can be suitable for novice beekeepers, as they are known for their gentleness and relatively low swarming tendency compared to other bee strains. They are also quite resilient and adaptable, which can be beneficial for beginners who are still learning the ropes of beekeeping. However, it's essential for novice beekeepers to be willing to invest time in education and managing their hives properly. Additionally, local climate and environmental conditions can also influence how well Buckfast bees thrive in a specific area. Overall, with the right guidance and supportive resources, novice beekeepers can successfully keep Buckfast bees.
What Exactly Are Buckfast Bees?
Buckfast bees are a hybrid strain of honeybees developed by Brother Adam, a monk in the Buckfast Abbey in England, in the early 20th century. They are primarily derived from the Italian and Carniolan bee strains, which were bred for their desirable traits. Buckfast bees are known for their gentle temperament, high productivity, and resilience to diseases and pests. They tend to have a lower tendency to swarm, making them easier to manage for beekeepers. Additionally, they are excellent foragers and can adapt well to various environmental conditions, which contributes to their popularity among beekeepers around the world.
We sell packaged honeybees to customers all around the Midwest United States, including listings in North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Ohio. We bring our packages here in a custom designed, climate controlled truck that keeps the bees at just the right temperature with the right amount of fresh air, which guarantees that your bees will be the healthiest bees possible! We have over 25 years of experience in package bees and queen breeding. If you are looking for live bee hives, you can't beat our packaged bees!
