I’ve been raising queens since 2014 and have been perpetuating my best over-wintered queens. My bees stay in MN year round and I only graft from the hardiest, most gentle and productive queens that survive our winters. I am not a commercial beekeeper, just a small sideline beekeeper. Perpetuating locally adapted Minnesota hardy bees is one of the keys to successful beekeeping here in MN.
Also interested in swapping queens with other folks who are raising queens here in MN from overwintered stock….
Subscribe to the Queen and Nuc List if interested!
Selection Criteria for Queen Mothers
- Must headed a colony through 2 Minnesota winters
- Must be of good temperament (i.e. not stingy and calm on the combs)
- Must be above average honey producers
- Must be in the lower percentile for mite counts of my colonies
Pictures of my queens
Nucleus Info
I usually sell a limited amount of 5 frame deep nucleus hives per season. These small hives are headed by a newly mated queen 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. Generally these nucs are booming and need to have another nuc super added or moved to larger equipment quickly after sale. In my own operation, these summer-made nucleus colonies are the basis of my honey producing hives the following year.
- You will need to bring your own box and we will transfer the frames at time of sale
- I will also sell a single nucleus hive setup for $40 (migratory top, deep 5 frame hive body, bottom board, entrance reducer). Add $15 for additional hive body.
- Frames are wooden with plastic foundation