Italian 5-Frame Nuc – 2027 Spring Pickup

Start your 2027 beekeeping season with a 5-frame Italian nuc from Bitterroot Buzz Bees! Each nuc includes an established colony with developing brood, food resources, and a 2027 laying Italian queen to give your apiary a strong start.

Whether you're a new beekeeper setting up your first hive or an experienced beekeeper expanding your operation, an Italian nuc provides a head start on spring colony development.

About Italian Honey Bees

Italian honey bees (Apis mellifera ligustica) are among the most popular honey bee varieties in North America. They are valued for their gentle temperament, strong brood production, and ability to build thriving colonies when conditions are favorable.

Why choose Italian bees?

• Gentle temperament: Often known for their calm disposition, making routine hive inspections easier to manage.

• Strong brood production: Queens are known for prolific egg-laying, helping colonies build population quickly during favorable conditions.

• Honey production: Strong colony growth and foraging activity can support productive honey harvests when nectar and weather conditions cooperate.

• Quick comb building: Italian colonies can draw comb efficiently when provided with adequate food resources and suitable conditions.

• A popular choice for all experience levels: Their generally manageable temperament and productive brood patterns make them a common choice for hobbyists and commercial beekeepers alike.

Italian bees may consume more winter stores than some other bee stocks because they can continue brood rearing later into the season when conditions permit. Proper fall feeding, population management, and winter preparation are important, especially in Montana's colder climate.

Colony performance varies with genetics, weather, forage availability, and management. No specific honey yield or winter survival outcome is guaranteed.

What's Included

Each 5-frame nuc includes:

• 2–3 frames of brood in various stages of development.

• 1–2 frames of honey and pollen to provide food resources. One frame may include partially drawn comb.

• 2027 laying Italian queen from our own bee stock.

• 5-frame nuc box for safe transport, yours to keep.

About Our Nucs

Our Italian nucs are composed of bees from our own stock, with a focus on desirable traits such as colony health, productivity, and manageable temperament. We aim to provide established colonies that give beekeepers a practical head start on the spring season.

Prepare your permanent hive before pickup and transfer the frames while maintaining their original order and orientation. Monitor brood development, food stores, and colony growth after installation. Supplemental feeding may be necessary depending on weather and forage conditions.

Pickup Information

Pickup Date: May, 8th 2027
Location: Bitterroot Buzz Bees — Stevensville, Montana
Pickup Time: To be announced before pickup.

Final pickup instructions will be sent by email. Please plan ahead to collect your nuc and transport your bees safely.

Important Policies

• Pickup changes: Changes to the scheduled pickup date or time incur a $25 service fee.

• Cancellations: Cancellations are subject to a 35% fee.

• Live bees: Colony development and condition may vary due to seasonal weather, forage availability, and other environmental factors.

By placing an order, you acknowledge the scheduled pickup arrangements and the policies listed above.

Reserve your Italian 5-frame nuc today and build your apiary with Bitterroot Buzz Bees!