I’ve gotten a number of calls the last week or two from folks asking if it’s too late to get bees this year. Although some package bee suppliers have stopped taking orders, there are several more that are still taking them. In fact, some lower 48 suppliers ship to Alaska clear into May! I personally wouldn’t recommend waiting past April 1st, but even after that, if you are diligent, you can likely hunt down a package of bees. Feel free to let me know if you end up in that situation, and I’ll see what I can do to help you out.
I’m still taking orders for equipment as well. I make everything your bees need from the ground up. I take pride in my equipment and I stand behind it! I will have a few extras on hand throughout the summer, but if you’re planning on ordering, and haven’t done so yet, I’d appreciate a heads up. My packages will arrive April 16th, and I’ll need some time to get my outyards set up. Last year I had 2 people pick up bees from me that hadn’t ordered equipment yet. Not from me, not from anywhere! Just so we’re all clear, that IS NOT OK! Bees don’t enjoy hanging out in those screened boxes, they want out! You need to be prepared to hive within a day or two of receiving your package at the most. Try to be ready to go before your bees show up, and hive them as soon as possible! With our short summers, they need every spare minute to prepare themselves for the incredible Fireweed Bloom!
