Harvest Lane Honey Italian honey bees (subspecies Apis mellifera ligustica) are the most popular in North America. They are widely recognized by their light color, ranging from a leathery yellow to a lemon yellow. Italian bees are known for being gentle and easy to work with, having high brood production, being less prone to disease and as excellent honey producers. Italian bees thrive in warm southern climates.

Due to prolonged brood rearing, they may consume surplus honey in the hive once honey flow stops. They frequently rob the honey of weaker or dead neighboring colonies. This may pose problems for beekeepers who work their colonies during times of nectar dearth and can contribute to the spread of diseases between hives.

• Mild tempered, easy to manage, good for beginners and experienced keepers
• Rapid spring buildup
• Excellent honey producers
• Prolific brood producers
• Strong comb builders
• Highly hygienic
• Thrive in warm southern climates
• Known to be honey robbers and excellent foragers
• Can be used in new hives or replace existing hives
• Each package contains: 1 screen box with 3 pounds of Italian bees (approximately 10,000 - 12,000 bees), 1 mated queen (in a corked cage) and a feeding supplement.
• Bees ship between April and May, Mon-Thur. You will receive advanced notice of your shipping day.
• Live bees are sensitive and should be installed within 24 hours of receipt. Protect bees from direct wind, sunlight, heat and extreme cold while in their cage.
• Due to life cycle and expected shrinkage (death loss). A shrinkage up to 10% is common and to be expected.
• DISCLAIMER: All payments for queens and bee packages are NON-REFUNDABLE These are live insects an will ship through UPS for delivery. When purchasing a mail order package, you assume FULL responsibility. We offer no guarantee--implied, oral or written for any of package bees or queens. We are NOT responsible and will not replace packages of bees or queens left at the delivery location (customer assumes FULL responsibility). These are live insects and cannot withstand being exposed to the elements in their cages.
• Check tracking numbers for up to date delivery information.
• Bees will ship via UPS