About Our Bees
Our honey bees are from northern California. We have worked with this line of bees for over 10 years and have achieved nothing but excellence from them here in the West. The breeding program selects these bees for mite resistance and hygienic traits. They
are excellent honey producers and very gentle. These bees overwinter well here in our harsh climate.
We occasionally have nucs, hives, and other items available throughout the year so don't hesitate to contact us by email if you are looking for something.
prairiewindbees@gmail.com
Please note our bees are available for pick-up only on specific dates and times in Cheyenne, Wyoming. There is a possibility of some flexibility. For more information see below or on our FAQ's page.
5-frame Nuc
Five frames of bees with established comb, honey, pollen, and a mated queen. Delivered slightly later in the spring, but are virtually already an established "colony". 2020 Price: $190 (cash/check price) $195 (credit card price) Breed of Queen preferred: Choice of Italian or Carniolan Pickup only in Cheyenne in early May, date May 9 (subject to change) RUSSIAN Queen nuc: SOLD OUT $225 (cash/check price) $232 (credit card price) Note: Except for Russians, Queen variety in nucs is not guaranteed due to the free nature of nucs and also subject to availability. |
3 lb Package Bees
Three pounds (about 8,000-12,000 bees) with a mated queen. Packages are delivered earlier in the season. 2020 Price: $145 (cash/check price) $149 (credit card price) Breed of Queen preferred: Choice of Italian or Carniolan Pickup only in Cheyenne in May, date May 2 (subject to change) RUSSIAN Queen package:SOLD OUT $180 (cash/check price) $185 (credit card price) Note: Except for Russians, Queen variety in packages is not guaranteed and is subject to availability. |
Nucs vs. Packages?
Nucs and packages each offer their own advantages and disadvantages, and whether one is more suitable than the other will depend greatly on the individual needs of the beekeeper ordering them. However, for newer beekeepers or those up in the air about their needs, we advise ordering nucs.
While packages can offer more flexibility for different frame sizing and non-langstroth hives, nucs offer multiple advantages including ease of installation, lower chance of absconding from the new hive, and increased resiliency during transit. The higher cost of the nuc and later delivery date are offset because the bees are well established on their frames upon their arrival, cutting down the work necessary for them once they have been installed in their new hive. Additionally, the fragility of packages for less experienced beekeepers can sometimes result in undue stress or even the loss of a hive, and we want to see our newer beekeepers succeed as much as possible, especially in the sometimes tenuous first
few years of caring for and learning about bees.
Breed?
Each breed we offer (Carniolan and Italian) offers its own advantages. Italians are known to be good starter bees with a gentle temperament, while Carniolans are known for their ability to overwinter well. Both new and experienced beekeepers have had success with both breeds here in the Rocky Mountains. If you select a breed, we will do our best to get you that type, but please be aware that breeding is not an exact science!
Nucs and packages each offer their own advantages and disadvantages, and whether one is more suitable than the other will depend greatly on the individual needs of the beekeeper ordering them. However, for newer beekeepers or those up in the air about their needs, we advise ordering nucs.
While packages can offer more flexibility for different frame sizing and non-langstroth hives, nucs offer multiple advantages including ease of installation, lower chance of absconding from the new hive, and increased resiliency during transit. The higher cost of the nuc and later delivery date are offset because the bees are well established on their frames upon their arrival, cutting down the work necessary for them once they have been installed in their new hive. Additionally, the fragility of packages for less experienced beekeepers can sometimes result in undue stress or even the loss of a hive, and we want to see our newer beekeepers succeed as much as possible, especially in the sometimes tenuous first
few years of caring for and learning about bees.
Breed?
Each breed we offer (Carniolan and Italian) offers its own advantages. Italians are known to be good starter bees with a gentle temperament, while Carniolans are known for their ability to overwinter well. Both new and experienced beekeepers have had success with both breeds here in the Rocky Mountains. If you select a breed, we will do our best to get you that type, but please be aware that breeding is not an exact science!
DISCOUNTS
Cash/check discount: In order to avoid any added costs, we offer a small discount for customers paying with check via mail. Until 2017, Prairie Wind Bee Supply has only accepted payment through the mail. We are are happy to offer online credit card pay for the convenience it brings to some customers but we pass on the service charges to the customer.
Bulk order discount: For orders of more than 20 packages or nucs, an additional $3.00 will be taken off the price of each item.
Please place your order by submitting your request at the link below:
Link will be posted January 2021
A Note on Price
Our price is determined and set in January each year and we begin taking orders immediately afterward. While remaining cost-competitive is important to us and our customers, the real aim and advantage of Prairie Wind Bees is determined by genetics, as explained above. We believe that while some corporations can offer bees at a few dollars less per package, the real cost savings for our bees is realized when a colony is healthy, producing honey, and found alive again once the harsh winter months of the Rocky Mountains have finally passed. We believe that the genetic line of bees offered by Prairie Wind Bee Supply fit these criteria well, and hope you’ll think so too.
Our price is determined and set in January each year and we begin taking orders immediately afterward. While remaining cost-competitive is important to us and our customers, the real aim and advantage of Prairie Wind Bees is determined by genetics, as explained above. We believe that while some corporations can offer bees at a few dollars less per package, the real cost savings for our bees is realized when a colony is healthy, producing honey, and found alive again once the harsh winter months of the Rocky Mountains have finally passed. We believe that the genetic line of bees offered by Prairie Wind Bee Supply fit these criteria well, and hope you’ll think so too.