Cal Apiaries – Minnesota Bees

Selecting and perpetuating Minnesota hardy honey bee stock that can survive the climate extremes of our state is very important to me.  To that end, I raise queens from my best performing stock every year and produce and overwinter nucleus colonies.  These summer bred queens and small colonies are the backbone of my apiary.  I also sell queens and nucleus colonies.

2024 Queens

I expect 2024 mated queens to be available around June 15th. 

Queens are $40 (marked and caged in a JZBZ introduction cage with
attendant bees).

Also available are virgin queens and queen cells.

If you would like to be notified of queen and nuc availability use this page.

Reserve a queen here.

2024 Nucleus Colonies

I have 2 options for 2024 nucs.

Over-Wintered Nucs:

• (Sold Out – as of 3/21) Limited availability starting approximately May 18th. 
• These nucs contain an over-wintered 2023 queen (marked) with parentage from my best Minnesota queen stock.
• The nucs have 3-4 frames of brood in all stages, plus 1 frame of nectar/brood/pollen.  The brood is all laid by the queen in the nuc.
• Over-Wintered nucleus colonies are $200 +box/pickup options

Summer Nucs:

• Available approximately June 14th. 
• These nucs contain a newly mated 2024 queen (marked) with parentage from
  my best over-wintered queen stock.
• The nucs have 2-3 frames of brood in all stages, plus 2 more frames of
  nectar/brood/pollen.  The brood is all laid by the new queen in the nuc.
• Nucleus colonies are $160 +box/pickup options

Box/Pickup Options for all nucs:

• I charge $15 for a temporary nuc box (Jester EZ Nuc or Waxed Cardboard
  Nuc).  If you bring this back to me, I give you $15 back.
• You can bring your own transport box and we can transfer the bees at
  pick up time.  This would need to be done at dusk or the nuc will lose
  foragers.
• I also have 5 frame nuc woodenware that I can package the nuc in and
  include in the price.  $40 (migratory top, deep 5 frame hive body,
  bottom board, entrance reducer)

Reserve a nuc here.

 Subscribe to my queen and nuc list if you’d like to be notified.

2023 Honey – Available

Liquid honey available in these sizes:

• 12oz Gift Jar $7
• Pints $9
• Quarts $17
• Gallon $60

Creamed honey available in these sizes:

• 1LB Jar $8

All jars are glass.  Pick up available near Buffalo, MN.  Contact me!

Subscribe to the honey availability list.