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Packages are cheaper, running about 60-75% the cost of nucs. Nucs cost more because they already contain frames of comb, brood, food, and other resources. For a beginner who just had to buy a bunch of new equipment, saving money on the bees may be attractive, and packages are the way to save.
Shop bee nucleus colonies, bee packages, and queens at Betterbee. Our 2021 bee nucs, packages, and queens are now available for pre-order.
17 lut 2023 · Nuc Colony vs Package Bees: What is Better? A package of bees is less expensive, but it has a much higher failure rate than a nuc. If you have package bees as a brand new beekeeper, then you will be using a brand new bee hive with new frames.
23 lut 2024 · A package of bees gets you roughly three pounds of bees with a separate queen, but no comb, brood, or food sources. It’s a cost-effective option that’s easier to source. Beekeepers should factor in a slower establishment period and a higher risk of absconding.
There are some major differences between a nucleus hive and a package of bees when starting a hive. But there are also some minor differences that can make a significant difference in the success of the beekeeper and the colony.
In the spirit of helping future beekeepers avoid this mix-up, let’s look at the differences between the two primary ways of obtaining honey bees: nucs and packages. Packages. Packages are small boxes filled with 3 lbs of bees (~10,000 bees)! There are large apiaries (bee yards) dedicated to raising bees and shipping them all over the country.
Nucs are readily available from a number of sources, including bee suppliers who will also sell packages. Another choice is a local beekeeping club, where individual members may be open to selling a nuc.