Package bees for sale Melbourne
There are a few ways to purchase bees and get started in the wonderful world of beekeeping. The 2 most common ways to purchase them is either as package bees or a nucleus hive.
Package bees are basically an artificial swarm. This is where bees from parent hives are shaken into a box that’s ventilated on both sides. A queen is added and kept in a queen cage and a tin of thick sugar syrup is given to the bees for their journey. There are a few disadvantages when buying package bees as they are not considered ethical for the poor little bees. Prior to getting “packed’ bees are fed lots of sugar syrup which lacks nutrition compared to honey. Bees are forcefully shaken into these package boxes, often from various parent colonies and this confuses the bees as each bee colony has its own unique pheromone signature. Ideally the bees need to get to their destination as soon as possible. Keeping the package cool is very important as they produce a lot of metabolic heat when all clumped together and can easily smother themselves and basically cook inside the hive.
As soon as the package bees are at their destination they must be tipped into the new hive, for a first time beekeeper this can be an incredibly daunting experience, dealing with almost 10 000 bees!
Once the package bees are tipped into the hives with frames they must be fed sugar syrup for a minimum of 2 weeks. This helps the package bees draw out wax foundation so the queen can start laying her eggs. Bear in mind when it comes to package bees they are not really cheaper than buying a nucleus hive as you still need frames and a frame feeder for the package bees.
The best way to buy bees is in a nucleus hive, this is basically a starter culture of bees or a mini colony centered around a queen. The are many advantages of nucleus hives compared to package bees and primarily it’s that the colony has stores of honey and pollen. You can also guarantee a young, prolific laying queen and the nucleus colony has a much better start than package bees. With a nucleus hive instead of package bees, you can almost guarantee that the bees will not abscond.
Buying the nucleus hive is very easy for the beekeeper as they would pick them up ideally in the morning then get them home in position and open the gate. The nucleus hive is then left like this for 2 to 3 weeks allowing the bees to orientate and get used to its new area. With ease they can then be gently shifted across into their bigger home with minimal stress and fuss. This is far less stressful, when you compare this to package bees both for the bees and the beekeeper!
If you are looking to buy bees in Melbourne, Victoria buy a nucleus hive instead of package bees.
I would like to get a nucleus hive for my 🐝 keeping hobby. I’m novice in beekeeping, probably I will need some help. How much it’s going to costs to have one beehive in my backyard for start ?
Thanks so much Charlie.
Hi Charlie, Can you please send me an email to [email protected] with your suburb.
Hi Ben’s Bee *s
I am looking to buy a hive of bee*s and have read your introduction about the different ways I can start my hive, I must say it was nice to read the information on the different start you can give your bee*s,
I am a novice and am looking for a nucleus colony to make my start into this fascinating hobby,
I would like any information you can give me in regard to the bee*s I need and the cost that this will be, I live in the Mallee at Woomelang were it is dry with little rain fall every year not that that would be of a concern to my bee*s as we are on town water,
sent with regards
Collie
Hi Collie
Thank you for the message, It is bet to start with a colony in spring, when you are free give me a call on 0437077792
Kind regards
Ben
Ha Ben iam thinking of starting out with a beehive I do like the idea of the flow hive and it’s simplisticy like to know your thoughts and how much do bees cost Iam in the country in Nicholson near Bairnsdale Victoria
Hi John, Flow hives are great too start but as it gets cold where you live a double brood box would be better for the bees,
Hi Ben
Looking at buying a nucleus bee colony. Could you give me a price please?
Thank you
Rose
Hi Rose,
$350
i live in nsw and i do not now what bees to get. this my first time being a beekeeper what should i get nucleus hive or package bees?
The best place to try is your local beekeeping club. I can’t freight bees as I can only do pick up.
I have purchased a flowhive and want to get a nucleus hive to start in spring. I am near Yea in Victoria.
David
Hi David,
Thank you for the message, send me an email or call me please 0437077792
Wanting to start do u send or deliver up around Rochester vic cheers tim
Hi,
Sorry pick up only from 3130
Feel free to call me on 0437077792
Ben
Hi Ben’s bees,
I am on my way to start a bee hive. I have purchased a classic flow hive, (hasn’t arrived yet) and want to purchase a nucleus hive . Is the time right? And is there a lead time from the time of ordering to the time of pickup? I live in the Greenvale area 3059 Melbourne.
Hi David,
Thank you for the message, its still early to get bees, they will be ready in October as it takes a while for them to build up.
here is a link to go on the list
https://www.bensbees.com.au/product/deposit-nucleus-hive/
Hey Ben, I was wondering if you knew about sending package bees interstate? B
Hi and thank you for the message, Sorry they can not be shipped.