Buying Bees? Here is a List of Questions to Ask Your Supplier

by Tiffany Harelik

If you're buying bees from a beekeeper, here are some smart questions to ask to make sure you're getting healthy bees and setting yourself up for success:

About the Bees

What type of bees are these? (Italian, Carniolan, Russian, etc.)
Are they locally raised or shipped in? (Local bees are often better adapted to your climate.)
Are they treatment-free or have they been treated for mites? If so, with what?
Are these bees from a split, swarm, or package?
Is the queen marked, mated, and from this hive or introduced?
How old is the queen?
Do you guarantee the queen is laying?

Health & Inspections

When was the last hive inspection, and what did you see?
Have these bees shown signs of mites, disease, or other pests?
What Integrated Pest Management (IPM) methods do you use?
Do you test for varroa mites, and what were the last mite count results?
Have these bees ever been treated with antibiotics or chemicals?

Equipment & Setup

What type of hive are they coming in (nuc, package, or full hive)?
What frames are included (plastic, wood, foundationless)?
Will I need to transfer them to my own hive body, or can I keep this setup?
Do the frames have drawn comb or just foundation?

Location & Care

Do you recommend any specific setup for this region?
What kind of feed have they been on (sugar syrup, pollen patties, natural forage)?
When should I start feeding them, if at all?
What kind of plants or flowers should I plant nearby?

Mentorship

Do you offer follow-up support or hive inspections?
Can I call you with questions if I need help?
Do you recommend any local bee clubs or classes?

✅ Bonus Tip: If a beekeeper can't answer most of these questions or seems annoyed by them — that’s a red flag. A good beekeeper wants to set you (and the bees) up for success!