5 Frame Nucs - Starter Hives

Strong Healthy Bee Colonies

We are proud to offer mite resistant, winter hardy, gentle honey bees.

Elmridge Party Center - Canal Fulton, Ohio

Fountain Blue Event Center - Avon Lake Ohio

We offer VSH-Italian, Saskatraz or Randy Oliver Queens with our Nucs.

VSH-Italian

VSH-Italian queen bees are bred exclusively from instrumentally inseminated VSH breeder queens, and are selected for mite resistance, gentleness and rapid spring buildup. VSH stands for Varroa Sensitive Hygiene, and is one of the keys to keeping healthy, mite-resistant colonies. The VSH trait was originated from USDA stock in Louisiana, and later developed commercially by a number of US commercial queen breeders.

Bees exhibiting the VSH trait interfere with the reproduction of varroa mites by detecting and removing bee pupae that are infested with varroa mites. This VSH activity slows the spread of varroa, and keeps mite populations below damaging thresholds.

Our mite counts in the fall of 2022 were near zero because of the VSH trait in these bees. We have also found that the VSH line overwinters well in Ohio and builds up fast in the spring for a great honey crop.

Description of VSH-Italian stock, copyright Wildflower Meadows, Inc., used by permission.

Learn more about: Varroa sensitive hygiene

Saskatraz Hybrid

Saskatraz hybrids are produced by Olivarez Honey Bees using Saskatraz breeder queens constructed in Saskatchewan, Canada by Meadow Ridge Enterprises

Saskatraz breeder queens are selected for honey production, wintering ability, temperament, tracheal mite resistance, varroa tolerance / resistance and brood diseases. The Saskatraz breeding program uses recurrent natural selection to select for varroa tolerance in productive colonies with good economic traits. The OHB Saskatraz Hybrid have been crossed high VSH lines to increase stability of the varroa tolerant trait.

We have found the Saskatraz bees overwinter well in Ohio, have great honey production and are the most gentle bees we have ever worked with.

Learn more about: Saskatraz Honey Bees

Randy Oliver Queen

These Queens are developed by the legendary honey bee researcher Randy Oliver of ScientificBeekeeping.com and brought to you through Olivarez Honey Bees.

Randy Oliver is known for his honey bee research, and it shows in the bees that he and his sons raise. They are productive, gentle, and have a reasonable degree of mite resistance

Starting with only a single mite resistant colony out of 1500, over the years they’ve slowly increased the percentage of their hives that exhibit complete or partial mite resistance. Over half their colonies maintained infestation rates below 2% over the entire course of the season, right in the middle of crowded apiaries with plenty of mite drift – without the application of any miticides.

They breed only from queens whose colonies are very gentle and healthy, exhibited above average mite resistance and honey production

Description of Golden West stock, Olivarez Honey Bees.

Learn more about: Randy Oliver's Queens

2025 Saskatraz Queen

5 Frame NUC - 2025 Saskatraz Queen

HoneyBee Nucs are $199 total - $99 Deposit to reserve - $100 due at pick up. Nucs will have 5 deep frames of bees, 4 with brood of various stages, pollen, honey, 1 deep frame partially drawn foundation, and a 2024 laying Saskatraz Queen. Nucs, or nucleus colonies, are small honey bee colonies created by dividing larger colonies and evaluated for 2-3 weeks. Pickups in May and June 2025. Pickup in Uniontown, Ohio 44685. Shipping is not available.

$199.00 Total

$99.00 Deposit

2025 VSH Italian Queen

5 Frame NUC - 2025 VSH Italian Queen

HoneyBee Nucs are $199 total - $99 Deposit to reserve - $100 due at pick up. Nucs will have 5 deep frames of bees, 4 with brood of various stages, pollen, honey, 1 deep frame partially drawn foundation, and a 2025 laying VSH Italian Queen. Nucs, or nucleus colonies, are small honey bee colonies created by dividing larger colonies and evaluated for 2-3 weeks. Pickups in May and June 2025. Pickup in Uniontown, Ohio 44685. Shipping is not available.

$199.00 Total

$99.00 Deposit

2025 Golden West - Randy Oliver Queen

5 Frame NUC - 2025 Randy Oliver Queen

HoneyBee Nucs with a Golden West - Randy Oliver Queen are $229 total - $129 Deposit to reserve - $100 due at pick up. Nucs will have 5 deep frames of bees, 4 with brood of various stages, pollen, honey, 1 deep frame partially drawn foundation, and a 2025 laying Golden West - Randy Oliver Queen. Nucs, or nucleus colonies, are small honey bee colonies created by dividing larger colonies and evaluated for 2-3 weeks. Pickups in May and June 2025. Pickup in Uniontown, Ohio 44685. Shipping is not available.

$229.00 Total

$129.00 Deposit

Nuc Mesh Transport Bag

This Nuc transport bag is the safest and easiest way to transport your nuc of honey bees without any unwanted escapes. Made of a breathable mesh. Stay worry free on your drive home with our mesh transport bag.

We do not ship. This is for pick up at our bee farm in Uniontown Ohio With your nuc.

$7.00 Total

Complete Bee Hive - USA Amish Made - 10 Frame Langstroth - 2 Deeps & 1 Honey Super - Pickup only

Includes everything you need to house your bees in Ohio.

BEES SOLD SEPARATELY.

This Langstroth 10 frame Hive includes:

2 Deep Brood Boxes - Pine - Assembled (16-1/4″ x 19-7/8″ x 9-5/8″)
20 Deep Wood Frames w/plastic wax coated foundation (1-3/8″ x 19″ x 9-1/8″)
1 Medium Honey Super - Pine - Assembled (16-1/4″ x 19-7/8″ x 6-5/8″)
10 Medium Wood Frames w/plastic wax coated foundation (1-3/8″ x 19″ x 6-1/4″)
Screen Bottom Board
Inner Cover
Telescoping Top Cover Capped with White Aluminum
Entrance Reducer

We do not ship. This is for pick up at our bee farm in Uniontown Ohio.

$199.00 Total

10 Frame Medium Honey Super with Frames and Foundation - USA Amish Made - Assembled - Langstroth - Pickup only

6-5/8 Medium Super Kit Select includes (1) Standard with Box Joint 10-Frame Super, (10) 6-1/4 frames, and (10) sheets foundation.

We do not ship. This is for pick up at our bee farm in Uniontown Ohio.

$47.00 Total

Hive Top Feeder - 10 Frame - Wooden Assembled - Pickup only

This 10-frame wooden pine feeder is the best we have seen. All joints are caulked with 100% silicone to ensure proper sealing and the bottom is made out of urethane coated maple plywood for durability against moisture. Wooden floats help keep drowned bees to a minimum. Holds approximately 3 1/2 gallons ASSEMBLED

We do not ship. This is for pick up at our bee farm in Uniontown Ohio.

$25.00 Total

Winter Moisture Quilt Box - USA Amish Made - Assembled 10 frame - Pickup only

This moisture box has a great setup to allow ventilation to flow through your colony during the frigid, cold winter months.Assembled 10-frame. This is what we use on every hive to control moisture during the winter.

We do not ship. This is for pick up at our bee farm in Uniontown Ohio.

$29.00 Total

Stainless Steel Bee Hive Smoker

The cool smoke produced by a smoker helps calm the bees, making working with your bees easier. This smoker has a 4x7" Barrel, 11" total height. Stainless Steel Smoker with Shield. Genuine leather bellows. Wire grid shield protects your hands from the heat.

We do not ship. This is for pick up at our bee farm in Uniontown Ohio With your nuc.

$25.00 Total

J-Hook Hive Tool

This 10" j-hook beehive tool is used to lift frames with ease, and scrape off burr comb like a champ. Hook end is used for prying frames out of supers. Opposite end is used for scraping.

We do not ship. This is for pick up at our bee farm in Uniontown Ohio With your nuc.

$8.00 Total

Easy Varroa Check

The Varroa Easy Check is an essential tool for reliable Varroa monitoring. All beekeeping outfits big and small should have one on hand for quick diagnosis of Varroa infestation levels.

We do not ship. This is for pick up at our bee farm in Uniontown Ohio With your nuc.

$20.00 Total

Overwintered VSH Italian Queen

5 Frame NUC - Overwintered VSH Italian Queen

Overwintered Nucs are $225 total - $125 Deposit to reserve - $100 due at pick up - Nucs will have 5 deep frames of bees, 4 with brood of various stages, pollen, honey, 1 deep frame partially drawn foundation, and a laying VSH Italian Queen. The Queen has been overwintered and proven to survive the winter. Nucs, or nucleus colonies, are small honey bee colonies created by dividing larger colonies in May and evaluated for 3 weeks. Pickups in May and June 2025. Pickup in Uniontown, Ohio 44685. Shipping is not available. Please read below for more info.

$225.00 Total

$125.00 Deposit

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Our apiary is certified disease and pest free by the Ohio Dept. of Agriculture.

More about our bee nucs

Bee Hive Nucs will have 5 deep frames of bees with brood, pollen, honey, and a laying Queen. At home you will need your own deep hive body, bottom board, 5 empty frames, a feeder, a lid, a hive tool, bee veil or jacket, beekeeping gloves, and a smoker.

Queen will be in nuc and laying for at least 3 weeks before pickup so I can evaluate her performance and make sure you are getting a quality queen. Nucs will be in Jester plastic nuc boxes at pickup.

Because there is brood hatching and young bees emerging, nucs build up more quickly than packages and need to be transferred to full size colonies immediately. They will usually be ready for a second brood box within a few weeks of installation. Nucs should be fed until all frames in the first and second brood chamber are drawn out.

Build and paint your hives ahead of getting your bees, as you will need to install the bees in their new home the day you get them. Don’t wait!

If you are just starting in beekeeping I highly recommend starting with two or more hives. Having two hives allows you to compare their build up and also to share resources. For example, if you have one hive that is weak with only a few frames of brood and your other is strong with lots of bees and brood you can give the weak hive a frame of brood from the strong colony. There are lots of other reasons to keep 2 or more, however if you are comfortable only starting with one your first year then start with one! If you have any questions about the nucs feel free to email: mike@HartvilleHoney.com

Terms

HoneyBee Nucs must be picked up at Hartville Honey Bee Farm in Uniontown, Ohio 44685. Shipping is not available. We will contact you when it is time for you to pick up your nuc.

Ohio Overwintered nucs are overwintered here in Ohio. Other nucs that are not labeled as "overwintered" are produced from our overwintered stock with a new queen added. Some Saskatraz queens are from OHB and some are raised here on our bee farm. Some VSH Italian queens are from Wildflower Meadows and some are raised here on our bee farm.

When you order a nuc from us, a non-refundable deposit is due at time of order, before we create the nuc for you. Balance of $100 is due at pickup in cash or cashiers check only. The reason the deposit is non-refundable is because we create and grow a nuc custom for you with the queen you want.

Returns & Refunds: There are no returns or refunds once the customer accepts the bee package or nuc at our pickup location in Uniontown, Ohio. If for some reason, I am unable to fill the order, the customer will be due a full refund. Honey Bee Nucs will be available in May and June, weather depending, and no later than June 30. If the nucs are not ready for pickup by June 30 at the latest, the customer is due a full refund at their request. If the customer fails to pick up the nuc after having been notified that the nuc is ready for pickup, this does not give the customer the right to a refund.

The customer understands and acknowledges that bees and nucs are living creatures and are perishable. Hartville Honey Bee Farm will not be responsible or liable for loss of bees or nucs due to overheating once they are received by the customer. It is the responsibility and duty of the customer to insure that packages and nucs are kept cool and out of direct sun until they are installed in hives.