These colonies come from the Orange Groves in Florida about March, then proceed to apple pollination, blueberries, cranberries, and pumpkins. Italian beehives see rapid buildup in the spring and produce large amounts of honey. You can have your hive for just $350. Purchase of the colonies can be made in June of each year with a requirement that an order be placed by May 15.

Breeder queens and grafting stock originate from VP Queens in Frederick, Maryland, and are artificially inseminated. VP Allegro queens are framed on the Italian phenotype, and build quickly in the spring and can be split sooner. They rear a strong brood into the fall with high VSH expression.

VP Spartan queens are framed on the Carniolan phenotype, and build up more slowly while producing enormous nests and workers in time for the honey flow. They slow down if the nectar or pollen availability drops, and make a conservative fall brood with high VSH expression. Clipped or marked Italian queens are just $45

We sell nucleus hives (Five frame deeps) every other year. Our nucleus hives include Italian bees, a laying queen, five framed or more of bees on drawn comb in deep nuclei. You will be called to pick up your order between April 15 and June 15, every year. We undergo a full hive inspection by the Virginia Department of Agriculture, ensuring we don’t spread disease. Properly executed and numbered Certificates of Apiary Inspection can be verified by the Commonwealth Apiarists office. These, and our three-pound packages, are available for pickup in season, or ship the same day they are boxed to ensure freshness and survivability.