Buying Bees? Here is a List of Questions to Ask Your Supplier

If you’re buying bees from a beekeeper, here are some smart questions to ask to make sure you’re getting healthy bees and setting yourself up for success:

About the Bees

• What type of bees are these? (Italian, Carniolan, Russian, etc.)
• Are they locally raised or shipped in? (Local bees are often better adapted to your climate.)
• Are they treatment-free or have they been treated for mites? If so, with what?
• Are these bees from a split, swarm, or package?
• Is the queen marked, mated, and from this hive or introduced?
• How old is the queen?
• Do you guarantee the queen is laying?
  
  

Health & Inspections

• When was the last hive inspection, and what did you see?
• Have these bees shown signs of mites, disease, or other pests?
• What Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods do you use?
• Do you test for varroa mites, and what were the last mite count results?
• Have these bees ever been treated with antibiotics or chemicals?

Equipment & Setup

• What type of hive are they coming in (nuc, package, or full hive)?
• What frames are included (plastic, wood, foundationless)?
• Will I need to transfer them to my own hive body, or can I keep this setup?
• Do the frames have drawn comb or just foundation?

Location & Care

• Do you recommend any specific setup for this region?
• What kind of feed have they been on (sugar syrup, pollen patties, natural forage)?
• When should I start feeding them, if at all?
• What kind of plants or flowers should I plant nearby?

Mentorship

• Do you offer follow-up support or hive inspections?
• Can I call you with questions if I need help?
• Do you recommend any local bee clubs or classes?

   

Bonus Tip: If a beekeeper can’t answer most of these questions or seems annoyed by them — that’s a red flag. A good beekeeper wants to set you (and the bees) up for success!