Our Bees
The Foundation of Healthy Hives
At B-Z Bee Pollination, Inc., the health and vitality of our bees are at the heart of everything we do. As third-generation beekeepers, we meticulously manage our colonies and are proud to offer three distinct types of honeybees, each chosen for their unique strengths and suitability for various beekeeping goals: the classic Italian, the productive Buckfast, and the gentle Carniolian.
Choosing the right bee for you
The best bee type for your operation depends on your specific goals, climate, and management style. Whether you prioritize high honey yields and a generally gentle nature with our Italian Buckfast, or exceptional gentleness and adaptability to colder climates with our Carniolan bees, B-Z Bee Pollination, Inc. is committed to providing you with healthy, high-quality bees to support your beekeeping endeavors.
Italian Bees
The Gold Standard For Temperament & Productivity
About Our Italian Bees
Our Italian queens are selected for their gentle disposition, strong productivity, and overall vigor. Our Italian package bees are a reliable choice for beekeepers seeking a well-rounded bee known for its honey production and manageable temperament.
The Italian honeybee (Apis mellifera ligustica) is one of the most popular and widely distributed subspecies of honeybees worldwide, and for good reason. Originating from mainland Italy, they are highly prized for their desirable combination of traits:
Good Foragers
They are diligent and active foragers, efficiently gathering nectar and pollen from a wide variety of sources.
High Honey Production
They are prolific honey producers, often building up large colonies capable of taking advantage of significant nectar flows.
Prolific Brood Rearing
Italian queens tend to lay consistently, leading to rapid colony growth, especially during favorable conditions.
Lower Swarming Tendency
While they can swarm, their tendency is generally considered moderate and manageable with proper hive management.
Gentle Temperament
Italian bees are generally known for their docile nature, making them a favorite among both beginners and experienced beekeepers. Their calm demeanor makes hive inspections and manipulations more pleasant.
Adaptability
Italian bees can adapt to a wide range of climates and environmental conditions.
Buckfast Bees
Renowned For Productivity & Temperament
About Our Buckfast Bees
Our Italian Buckfast queens at B-Z Bee are carefully selected for these desirable characteristics, ensuring that the package bees and subsequent generations inherit these beneficial traits. If you're looking for a highly productive and gentle bee that thrives in diverse environments, our Italian Buckfast option is an excellent choice.
The Buckfast bee is a hybrid strain developed at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, England, through careful crossbreeding of various European and Middle Eastern honeybee subspecies. Over decades of selective breeding, the Buckfast bee has become highly regarded for its remarkable combination of desirable traits:
Good Disease Resistance
Buckfast bees have shown good resistance to several common bee diseases, contributing to healthier and more resilient colonies.
Lower Swarming Tendency
Compared to some other European strains, Buckfast bees exhibit a lower tendency to swarm when properly managed.
Prolific Brood Rearing
They tend to build up colony populations quickly, allowing them to capitalize on nectar flows efficiently.
Exceptional Honey Production
Buckfast bees are known for their outstanding honey-gathering abilities, often outperforming other strains in honey yield. This makes them a popular choice for beekeepers focused on maximizing honey harvests.
Gentle Temperament
A key focus in the development of the Buckfast bee was to create a gentle and easy-to-manage colony. This makes them a pleasure to work with for beekeepers of all experience levels.
Carniolan Bees
Gentle, Hardy & Well-Adapted To Colder Climates
About Our Carniolan Bees
Our Carniolan queens at B-Z Bee are selected for their gentle temperament, winter hardiness, and strong spring buildup. If you prioritize a calm and easy-to-handle bee that thrives in diverse climates, particularly those with colder winters and strong spring flows, our Carniolan bees are a fantastic option.
Originating from the
Carniola region of Slovenia, the Carniolan bee (Apis mellifera carnica) is a subspecies of the Western honeybee prized for its unique set of characteristics:
Exceptional Gentleness
Carniolan bees are widely recognized for their remarkably calm and gentle nature, making hive inspections and manipulations less stressful for both the beekeeper and the bees.
Good Honey Production
While perhaps not as singularly focused on honey production as the Buckfast, Carniolan bees are still capable of producing excellent honey yields, especially in areas with strong nectar flows.
Adaptability To Colder Climates
Carniolan bees are well-adapted to colder climates and have a strong ability to conserve winter stores. This makes them a hardy choice for regions with distinct seasons.
Rapid Spring Buildup
They exhibit a rapid increase in population in the spring, allowing them to capitalize on early nectar sources.
Prone to Swarm (Manageable)
While they can have a higher swarming tendency than Buckfast bees, this can be effectively managed with proper beekeeping techniques.
Efficient Foragers
Carniolan bees are known for their efficient foraging habits, making the most of available nectar and pollen resources.
