​Package Honey Bees and Queens

Spring 2024 Honey Bee packages are available for order now!
​​Back Forty Bees supplies 3-pound packages of Italian honey bees to Hampton Roads, Virginia and Northeast, North Carolina. Our packages have been issued a certificate of health by the state apiarist of Georgia and comply with all laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, confirming that they are free of disease. Back Forty Bees is an experienced apiary and we have a successful track record of over many years supplying honey bees locally that will succeed for you.  
  • Delivery for March 2024 (subject to weather) can be picked up in either Williamsburg, VA. Note we probably will not have a Suffolk, VA pickup location this year. 
  • Delivery for April/May 2024 (subject to weather) can be picked up in Williamsburg, VA. 

Get started easily with our Quick Start Combo Package Bees & Woodenware!
In addition to purchasing a package alone, we also offer the option of ordering your package with all the woodenware necessary to start your hive. Select the Quick Start Combo- Package Bees & Woodenware in our store to take advantage of this easy setup.  We will have your hive ready ahead of time (we'll email you) so you can place the hive in its location and be all set for when your bees arrive. If you want to manage your risk and make life even easier, consider beginning with a nuc. 

We are insured, fully licensed, and meet all regulatory requirements – something you don’t see in all package suppliers. Moreover, Back Forty Bees has uniquely designed our transport method to minimize stress on the bees, ensuring that your bees arrive healthy and ready to establish themselves.   This translates into better service, better products, and better follow-up – all benefiting you, our customers. 

Club and Quantity Discount Pricing
Discounts are offered for club and quantity orders. Please note, these prices will be phased out as spring approaches, order early to take advantage of this special pricing.​ Clubs - don't worry about collecting money! We will provide you with a dedicated discount code that is customized for you club, including special pricing.  This makes it easy to get club order pricing, without the hassle of chasing down people and checks. Email us and we'll set everything up for you.

Free Package Installation Demonstration

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 It can be daunting installing a package of bees for the first time.  We offer a free demonstration at our Williamsburg location on the day you pickup your package.  We will walk through all the steps of installing the bees, answer your questions, and help you be comfortable installing your own bees before you leave! This demonstration is always a huge success!  

Virtual Assistance

Calling all new beekeepers! Are you in need of some support and guidance in your beekeeping journey? No worries - Back Forty Bees is here to help! We are offering virtual support to answer questions and provide expert advice to those who order bees with us.  Two weeks after getting your bees we’ll be sending out a link to a virtual meeting and whether you need help with equipment, colony management, or just want to chat about your bees, we're here for you!

On-going Support

 We are here to help you succeed!  BFBs lends a lot of support to new beekeepers who order bees, starting with pickup and beyond (some folks call me years after buying bees for assistance).  After delivery, you can expect phone and email support, with the occasional site visit if necessary. We are committed to making sure your bees flourish!

FAQs

  • I'm new to beekeeping, how many hives should I start with?
  • Are you sold out?
    • No - not if you can add a package to your cart!  We utilize online inventory control and as long as you can add a product to your cart it is in stock.  I do recommend if you want a package you order early - we do sell out each year.  
  • What is the difference between a package and a nuc?
    • A  Package of honey bees is 3 pounds of bees (about 10,000), including a mated queen, contained in a screened shipping cage with a food source (sugar water typically).  A nuc (or nucleus hive) is a hive of bees with drawn out comb, a laying queen, capped and open brood, and all the worker and drone bees.  Essentially, a nuc is a very small functioning hive while a package is an artificial swarm of bees that must establish a new hive (draw out comb, etc). 
  • How do I install a package?
  • Should I be concerned about Africanized Honey Bees?
    • Not with Back Forty Bees!  All our packages are Georgia state inspected, meaning they are disease free and not cross bred with Africanized honey bees (AHB). We always utilize the same breeders and have been very happy with the quality and temperament of the packages we received.  AHB are not considered widespread or established in Georgia. In fact, the latest map of AHBs by the Agricultural Research Center, USDA does not include the state of Georgia. 
  • What is a package of honey bees?
    • A Package of honey bees is essentially an artificial swarm.  Bees from multiple hives are placed in a cage with a new queen and a can of sugar water.  This package of honey bees will include a queen and 3 pounds of bees (enough to get a hive started).
  • Our club has a large order, are you willing to work with us on prices?
    • Yes – BFBs has a successful track record of serving beekeeping clubs.  Please call, send an email, or complete the form on our contact page and we will be happy to work with you.
  • Do you sell woodenware or starter kits?
    • Yes!  See our Assembled Hives page.   
  • What kind of honey bees are these?
    • These are Italian honey bees, the most common type found in the country among beekeepers.

The Fine Print

All packages are delivered with a live queen and healthy bees. Occasionally a queen will die; if this happens you must return the dead queen within 24 hours of pickup and a new queen will be provided at no cost.  After 24 hours we can provide a new queen, however, this will be at an additional cost. Exceptions are made for uncommon situations. Small hive beetles and mites are endemic to honey bees in the Unites States and may be present in packages. All sales are final.