Getting started with beekeeping brings excitement, curiosity, and a bit of nervousness—especially when it comes to choosing the right bees for your first hive. One of the most reliable ways to begin or expand your colony is with a nucleus colony, better known as a “nuc.” At Meyer Bees, we provide high-quality honey bee nucs for sale that are locally raised and carefully built to thrive in Illinois and surrounding regions.
Our proven nuc production process is transparent, hands-on, and built on over 20 years of experience. From our Chicagoland apiaries to our Minooka headquarters, every step is designed to give new beekeepers a head start and intermediate keepers a boost in productivity.
Step 1: Selecting the Right Colonies
Everything begins with strong, healthy parent colonies. In early spring, we evaluate hives across our network of Illinois apiaries. These colonies are selected based on their winter survival rate, brood pattern, temperament, and mite resistance. Only the most robust hives are chosen for splits—ensuring each new nuc inherits resilient genetics adapted to local conditions.
Our selection criteria matter because Illinois winters and Midwest weather shifts are no joke. Bees raised in our region are better prepared to survive and thrive here than bees trucked in from out of state. That’s why customers who purchase our nucs report stronger build-up and smoother transitions into full-sized hives.
Step 2: Performing the Splits
Once we’ve identified the ideal donor hives, we perform splits to create 5-frame nucs. This means taking a mixture of brood frames, honey or pollen frames, and a good population of nurse and forager bees. These frames are placed in a new nuc box and transported to our Minooka facility.
This step is all about balance. We aim to provide 2 to 3 solid frames of brood, plus 1 to 2 frames of food, all surrounded by bees actively caring for the developing brood and queen. We also include some undrawn foundation on outer frames so the colony has room to grow—an often overlooked but critical detail for long-term success.
Step 3: Installing the Queen
As soon as the nuc arrives at our home site, we introduce a locally mated, marked queen. These queens are raised from stock that has already proven itself in our own climate, including Italian, Carniolan, and Russian varieties. Because our queens are adapted to the Midwest, they integrate more smoothly and lead stronger colonies.
We mark each queen for easier tracking and inspect for proper mating. Queens are not caged at this stage—they are introduced directly into the nuc and monitored to ensure acceptance. We check that she begins laying and is well-attended by the colony.
Step 4: Nurturing the Colony
Over the next several weeks, we care for each nuc as if it were one of our own production hives. That means regular inspections, feeding as needed, and monitoring brood development and bee population growth. This isn’t a “set it and forget it” approach. It’s an active management process.
We closely watch for any signs of queen failure, disease, or imbalance within the frames. If an issue arises, we intervene quickly—whether that’s requeening, replacing a weak frame, or rebalancing the colony.
This stage ensures that the nuc you receive is not just surviving, but thriving.
Step 5: Ready for Pickup
Once each nuc has built up to the right strength—with a strong laying queen, multiple frames of healthy brood, food stores, and a dense bee population—it’s marked ready for customer pickup. Pickup dates typically begin mid-April and extend through September, depending on weather and demand.
You’ll receive your nuc in a 5-frame box that’s ready to install into your own hive body. We also offer guidance and instruction for those who are new to beekeeping, helping you understand the best way to install and support your new colony.
Whether you’re planning to grow your own apiary or simply keep one or two hives in your backyard, a Meyer Bees nuc gives you a reliable, healthy start.
Why Locally Raised Nucs Matter
There’s a big difference between nucs raised in your local climate versus those shipped in from hundreds of miles away. Local bees are familiar with the nectar flows, temperatures, pests, and weather shifts specific to your region. This means fewer losses, stronger brood build-up, and a better return on your investment.
Our customers tell us again and again: “The colonies from Meyer Bees are stronger, more productive, and more docile than any I’ve purchased elsewhere.”
That’s because we don’t just sell bees—we raise and manage them here in Illinois, and we know what they need to succeed.
More Than Just Bees
In addition to offering honey bee nucs for sale, we provide a complete suite of services for beekeepers—from hive setup and requeening to honey extraction and bottling. Whether you’re brand new to beekeeping or managing dozens of hives, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
We also supply all the gear you need: hive boxes, feeders, frames, protective clothing, tools, and treatments. Everything is available at our Minooka showroom or online, and we’re happy to walk you through the best choices for your specific setup.
For those exploring package bees or alternative queen stock, we also provide 3-pound packages and mated queens in multiple genetics. This flexibility ensures you can start or expand your beekeeping operation in the way that works best for you.
Conclusion: Trust the Meyer Bees Process
We’ve spent over two decades refining our step-by-step approach to nuc building. Today, we’re proud to offer honey bee nucs for sale that reflect our passion for healthy bees, sustainable practices, and successful beekeepers.
From hive selection to queen mating to nurturing each nuc before pickup, we focus on transparency, quality, and local adaptation. When you choose a Meyer Bees nuc, you’re not just buying bees—you’re investing in a colony that’s been raised right, with the knowledge, care, and climate to support your beekeeping success.