Beehive Alaska

Yes this is the same place you were looking for. The format that was used for our old web page was discontinued and we are now adjusting to a new format. New information will appear here as the days progress. We are the same Bee Wranglers as before.
May 2025

Bees are all sold out for 2025 we do have some possible Nukes coming on by June 5th to 15th


Call Jim at 907-317-2367 if you are looking for queens
You can also Text Him if he is busy.



Stranded Bees 2025

Bees that are left at a shipping point by things that come up beyond our control at times of shipping have to bee dealt with.

Ketchikan bees were recently stranded in Seattle, the air freighter was not able to carry them.

Because we were shipping out another batch of bees to Anchorage later that day, we managed to put them on that flight. Still they had no customer destination waiting for them, but that area is our largest market and finding a home for them is more likely in that area. In the past we have found homes for them in the Northwest and so there are thing that can be done to get the bees to a home.


NEW BEES FOR 2025




Package bees are available the second week third week and sometimes the 4th week in April. Most years that is the schedule, but sometimes they can be delayed depending on the weather. Favorable weather is needed for the Queen production and the bee production can be affected by the bloom in the Orchards.


The Almond Bloom is due in February and that will start the process of getting us bees. By middle of February the trees began blooming and the bees servicing the bloom will cause the hive populations to increase. The Queens will be developed and mated in March, so that is the next step is getting bees to Alaska.


We will still have discounts for early buy of the bee packages. We suggest 4 pound packs for Alaska areas.


Remember that once you get the bees they need sugar water. It can be sprayed on them but bee carful not to over spray. You can also spray sugar water on the frames. Either new frames or drawn comb. This helps the bees receive sugar in a quick method and it will help their bodies produce heat. If it is single digits out and it is to improve a day or two later, you can wait. Times like this also can help the bees by putting frames in the hive with honey left over from last year.


Upon receiving the bees you can put the package in a cool dark area. about 55-65 degrees. If they stay bearded that is ideal. a few bees running around is normal. If they all start to run around, you can cool them off by placing them in a cooler area. Outside can be used to cool them but do not leave them out there long, just till they beard again. If temperatures are below 15, I would not put them outside.


You might have a wooden box Queen cage or a plastic queen cage.


Wooden Queen cage: Queens can be direct released into the hive or the queen can bee Placed in the hive with a marshmallow in the cage hole. Normally a cork is blocking the cage hole. you need to remove the cork and place a marshmallow where that cork was but you should be indoors. When you place the marshmallow in the hole the queen can fly and be lost if you are outside. Each Year we hear of beekeepers losing Queens that fly away in the outdoor. Indoors the Queen can be captured and placed back in the cage if she Tries to fly away.


Plastic Queen cage: you can remove the plastic cap and expose candy in the form of a plug in the cage. If you wish you can use the head of a flat head nail to remove much of the candy for quicker release. The bees are going to have to eat through the candy to release the Queen.






WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH YOUR BEES THIS TIME OF THE YEAR (January- February)???



Many Beekeepers have tried to winter the bees from last summer. If you have hives that are trying to get through the winter now is the time to pay attention to them. It is best not to ever try to open them in the middle of winter. But if you have an upper entrance that is allowing the moisture to escape from the bees you might bee able to see steam escaping from that upper entrance. Also the snow on top of the hive will generally have a dip in the middle of it, reflecting the warmth of the live bees inside. Also by looking into that small hole at the top you can see bees moving around on top of the frames in the hive, especially on warmer days when it is in the 20's or 30's. (I have used a small flash light to aid checking on bees in the hive)


This year in much of Alaska there is snow. NOW is the time. Before April arrival you can shovel 10 or 20 shovel full of snow each day or 100 per week to uncover your bee area and make a path to the bee yard. I have some customers that hire a loader to uncover the area so they wait. starting now also gets you a free work-out.


If you have determined that the bees have died then later this month and into March the hive can be dried out by stacking each box on its end and letting the air blow though the boxes. Many times bees crawl into the cells as they are dying. You need not remove these bees from those cells. New bees introduced later can remove those in the cells better than you can. Air blowing through a dead hive will allow the insides to dry out. loose bees can be brushed out or allowed to drop from the hive. If you notice mice activity this also helps deter further damage by opening them up.

By drying out the hive it will allow any bees left in the cells to be removed later by new bees once they arrive. You must remember though as they clean out these bees that are winter kill and deposit them out side the hive that you new bees are not the ones showing up, dead on the landing board. Again It is not necessary for the beekeeper to try to remove those bees that are wedged in the cells if they are dry. If you wait later than March to dry the hive out it will be much harder, the insides will be goo in April and late March. That is very difficult for the bees to clean up.


Wintering Bees is not an easy activity. Many times they make into March and then might die or dwindle to small numbers.



BEE DELIVERY DATES Above in the titles



Delivery dates are in the mid part of April and a second ship date will be the end of April. Check here for any last minute delays or freight problems we may encounter that delay the bees.


Please remember, delays can still happen and there is always a slight chance the bees could be late to one stop or the other.


For any questions you can call Jack 907-365-9199 or Jim 907-317-2367



BEE TYPES



Bees are New World Carniolan, Old World Carniolan, Italian and Buckfast. Buckfast are a limited supply and may not bee available for late order. People commonly want to know the difference between the New World Carniolan and the Old World Carniolan? Most commercial Bee yards raise Carniolan and Italian in the lower 48. Italian is the most commonly used Bee in the country. When mating the Queens, Italian or Carniolan it is difficult to control which Drone mates with which Queen. So cross breeding takes place. In time the Carniolan has some of the Italian traits and Italians have some of the Carniolan traits or a cross takes place. The Old World Carniolan has more of the true Carniolan traits due to the fact that the Italians Drone involvement are greatly reduced in the yard or not present at all.



BEGINNING BEE KEEPING CLASSES



Beginning Bee Keeping classes will be in February each year. Call 907-365-9199 for additional details. located at 1526 Karluk street in Anchorage. Parking can be on the street South of the house


Class will include what to do with the bees and what not to do. Different seasons and what to expect. Different start-up procedures and how to install the bees, feed the bees. How to expand and when to expand the hive. How to collect the Honey and Pollen. Methods of wintering the bees. Equipment to use. etc.. Bring a lunch or snack so you can stay and hear and share in all that is said. Class will start at 10:00 and continue to about 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon.



WHERE WILL YOUR BEES COME FROM?



What we do to get the bees to you? Bees originate in the Almond Fields in California. Because of the early Bloom in February the Bee population expands. The excess bees are available for sale. We order the bees in late winter and early spring and pick them up from California, we drive the bees to the Pacific Northwest. Then they are airfreighted to Alaska. We work with the airfreight companies to get you healthy bees.



WHERE ARE YOU IN ALASKA?



Each distribution location has the bees available for the bee keeper to pick up.. You must PRE order and pay for bees in February and March to pick up in April. Later orders and last minute orders are more expense due to the extra work and personal needed to complete your order. Order early for discounts. Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, Kodiak, Sitka, Petersburg, Wrangell and Bethel are all main delivery points. Further locations can be reached by water or small plane to Skagway, Haines, Craig and other island locations. Sitka and Petersburg and Wrangell require an 8 pack minimum to cover the freight. Some areas incur additional fees for delivery.



We Deliver BEES to All areas of Alaska!



BEES Delivered to All points of Alaska
for the 2023 season



WELCOME





Bees are what we do!
Get ready to order for 2025 season.
Get your order in early to save money



HOURS





Call any time before 9:00 pm AK time.
Text any time, and we will respond as
soon as we are able



CONTACT US





907-365-9199 Jack
907-317-2367 Jim
Text any time





Tools of the Trade.
Don't forget your glove!



Processing the bees
for air transport



Bees in a newly installed hive



A working hive showing the rake needed to to insure no moisture is held on the bottom board