Mark Spitzig
Queen Cells, Nucs and Equipment
Survivor Queenbee Cells are available for purchase and can be shipped. We will need to know at minimum two weeks in advance in order to prep and rear cells for desired emergence “hatch” date. This is an interesting way to introduce new genetics that are out-crossed with your surrounding drone supports. Call Tel: 505/689-1287 for pricing and shipping options.
Zia Queenbees starter nuclei are recently established "mini-colonies" — the honeybees know their queen, and their queen is a confirmed egg-layer with a solid brood pattern. Starter nucs are a great way to establish a hive that is gentle, hearty, productive and pest/disease resistant. Our assembled equipment is built to last and to provide your hives with shelter over many years of beekeeping.
Starter Nucs
3-frame starter nucs: $85.00 with frame exchange* (w/o frame exchange add
$9.00)
5-frame starter nucs: $120.00 with frame exchange* (w/o frame exchange add
$15.00)
*Frame exchange with Pierco or wooden frame with plastic foundation only
- Fresh, well-mated Queenbee of your choice: Rocky Mountain Reina or Great Lakes Sooper Yooper
- Drawn comb, open and sealed brood, as well as at least one full frame of honey stores and pollen
- Note* We do not offer package bees (loose bees sold by the pound with a queen and no honeycomb).
Initial supplemental feeding is recommended when transferring the starter nuclei into your equipment or establishing a top bar nuc - view recipes at “Colmena Comida” under HIVE JIVE. Honeycomb is the honeybee's biggest asset and requires adequate energy from the honeybees. Once established through proper management, starter nuclei develop into enduring, self-sufficient, productive colonies crafted by Mother Nature's hand.
Top Bar Hive Starter Nucleus Colonies
Available in limited quantity in late spring, we offer established nucleus colonies on top bars in 3-frame sets for $100 frijoles. The nucs are available for pick-up when the population and honeycomb are established enough to endure travel. Sorry, we do not produce package bees (loose bees & queen with no honeycomb sold by the pound).
As a standard, we utilize 19 inch long wooden top bars that are ½ inch thick with a recycled Pierco starter strip. This starter strip (holding the honeycomb) can be unscrewed and screwed onto personally sized top bars. By using 19 inch long top bars that are ½ inch thick, one is better able to interchange their top bars with other size top bar and standard Langstroth users.
Read Melanie’s article: Integrated Top Bar Management: A Story of Rebellion & Cohesion - which was published in the Dec. 2009 & Jan. 2010 issues of Bee Culture.
Langstroth Equipment (Advance Order Necessary, Pick-up Only)
Equipment: Assembled Langstroth Equipment
| Item #001: Inner Cover and Telescoping lid | $32.50 unpainted |
| Item #002: 9 5/8” Deep Super (includes 10 wood frames w/ plastic foundation) | $49.00 unpainted |
| Item #003: 7 5/8” Super-this is not a medium nor a shallow (+ 10 wooden frames w/ plastic foundation) | $49.00 |
| Item #004: Screened bottom board | $37.00 |
| Item #005: Deep Feeder (with cap & mesh round ladders) | $10.00 |
| Item #006: Shallow 5 5/8” Feeder (with cap &mesh round ladders) | $8.50 |
| Item #007: Deep Wooden Frames (w/ plastic foundation) | $3.00/each |
| Item #008: Waxed-Coated 5-frame nuc box (w/ lid and plug) | $10.00 |
| Item #009: Langstroth Starter kit: includes screened bottom board, 1 brood chamber, 1 inner cover, 1 telescoping lid & 1 feeder (bees sold separately) | $125.00 |
