Packages and Nucs 2026
Italian/Carniolan hybrids are the strain most beekeepers own and beekeeping suppliers sell. They build up well in the Spring and are generally gentle and good honey producers.
Saskatraz is a new strain being developed in Canada with the aim to generate a more mite tolerant and northern winter hardy race which are gentle and very good honey producers. (see the saskatraz project) On the whole they show improved mite resistance but are not the finished article and like Italians will require mite monitoring and treatment where appropriate. They do show excellent winter hardiness, are gentle and great honey producers. I have changed over the majority of my yards to these bees. My saskatraz queens queens have been open mated in CA. In my opinion this degree of hybridization adds to their vigor.
Golden West are a new strain developed by Randy Oliver in California. I have been testing them now for two years and love them. My new favorite! They are being bred for mite resistance and like Saskatraz are not the finished product but show great promise. Very gentle and good honey producers.
Packaged bees available with Maine lineage, Italian/Carniolan hybrid or Saskatraz queens. Package pick-up in early May, Nucs available from mid May through July.
3lb packages with Maine lineage Italian/Carniolan hybrid queens $159,
3lb packages with Saskatraz queens $199,
5 frame nucs with Maine lineage Italian/Carniolan hybrid queens $229,
5 frame nucs with Sakatraz queens $259.
5 frame nucs with Golden West queens $269.
Order now by sending full payment with order and please include your contact phone and/or email to
Bee Whisperer, 236 Main Road South, Hampden ME 04444
Checks payable to: Peter Cowin, 236 Main Road South, Hampden, ME 04444 207 299 6948
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