Queen Bees for Sale in Canada: Everything You Need to Know

For beekeepers across Canada, the quality of a queen bee plays a vital role in the success of a colony. Whether you're a beginner looking to establish your first hive or an experienced beekeeper aiming to improve colony performance, purchasing a high-quality queen bee is essential. With the right queen, you can ensure strong colony growth, high honey production, and resilient, healthy bees.

In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about buying queen bees in Canada, including the benefits of requeening, different queen bee types, and where to find reputable suppliers.

Why Purchasing a High-Quality Queen Bee Matters

The queen bee is the heart of a honeybee colony. She is responsible for laying eggs, ensuring the colony’s population remains strong, and influencing the behavior and productivity of her worker bees. A well-mated and healthy queen can mean the difference between a thriving hive and one that struggles to survive.

Here are a few reasons why purchasing a quality queen bee is so important:

• Colony Strength: A productive queen lays up to 2,000 eggs per day, ensuring the hive has a steady supply of worker bees to forage and care for brood.
• Honey Production: A strong workforce means better honey yields, which is crucial for both hobbyists and commercial beekeepers.
• Gentle Temperament: Some queen bee strains, such as Buckfast and Carniolan, are known for their docile nature, making hive management easier.
• Disease Resistance: Certain queen bee genetics contribute to improved resistance against common honeybee diseases and pests like Varroa mites.
• Overwintering Success: In Canada’s cold climate, choosing a queen bee breed suited for winter survival can make a significant difference in hive sustainability.

Types of Queen Bees Available in Canada

When purchasing a queen bee, it’s important to select the right breed based on your beekeeping goals, climate, and hive conditions. Here are some of the most common queen bee types available for sale in Canada:

1. Italian Queens

• Known for their gentle nature, prolific egg-laying, and high honey production.
• Less resistant to cold weather but ideal for warmer regions in Canada.
• Require more food stores to sustain their large colonies through winter.

2. Carniolan Queens

• Excellent winter survival and cold resistance, making them a great choice for Canadian beekeepers.
• Gentle and easy to manage with a strong ability to regulate their population based on nectar flow.
• Tend to swarm more frequently than other breeds, requiring close monitoring.

3. Buckfast Queens

• Hybrid bees developed for disease resistance, high honey production, and a calm temperament.
• Known for their ability to handle harsh Canadian winters while maintaining strong colonies.
• Less prone to swarming compared to other breeds.

4. Saskatraz Queens

• Bred in Canada specifically for disease resistance, winter hardiness, and excellent honey yields.
• A great all-around queen bee suitable for both commercial and backyard beekeepers.
• Provide a balance of gentleness and productivity.

5. Russian Queens

• Naturally resistant to Varroa mites and other pests.
• More aggressive than Italian or Carniolan bees but well-suited for regions with high mite pressure.
• Strong overwintering abilities with a conservative approach to brood production.

When to Purchase and Introduce a Queen Bee

Timing is crucial when introducing a new queen bee into a colony. The best time to purchase and introduce a queen is during the spring and early summer when colonies are actively expanding. If requeening a hive, it’s recommended to replace the existing queen in late summer or early fall to ensure the colony enters winter with a young, productive queen.

When introducing a new queen bee:

• Allow the hive to remain queenless for 24 hours before introducing a new queen.
• Use a queen introduction cage with a candy plug to allow worker bees time to accept her.
• Monitor the hive for acceptance and egg-laying activity over the next few days.

Where to Buy Queen Bees in Canada

Finding a reputable queen bee supplier is key to ensuring you receive a well-mated and healthy queen. Many Canadian beekeepers rely on both local and imported queens from trusted breeders. Here are some ways to find high-quality queen bees in Canada:

1. Local Beekeeping Associations and Clubs

• Many local beekeeping groups have connections with experienced breeders and suppliers.
• Joining a beekeeping association allows access to resources, expert advice, and networking opportunities.

2. Beekeeping Supply Stores

• Many stores specializing in beekeeping equipment also sell live bees and queen bees.
• Local suppliers often breed queens that are well-adapted to Canadian climates.

3. Online Queen Bee Suppliers

• Several Canadian beekeepers and breeders sell queen bees online, offering shipping options within the country.
• Some reputable online sources include:
  • [Supplier Name 1]
  • [Supplier Name 2]
  • [Supplier Name 3]

4. Commercial Beekeepers

• Larger beekeeping operations often sell surplus queen bees during peak season.
• Buying from commercial breeders ensures you get a properly mated and high-performing queen.

Final Thoughts: Investing in the Right Queen Bee

Choosing the right queen bee for your hive is one of the most important decisions in beekeeping. Whether you’re starting a new colony or requeening an existing hive, investing in a high-quality queen can significantly impact the health, productivity, and longevity of your bees.

For beekeepers in Canada, considering factors such as climate adaptability, disease resistance, and colony temperament is essential. By sourcing your queen bees from reputable breeders and suppliers, you can ensure that your hives thrive and continue to flourish season after season.

If you’re looking for queen bees for sale in Canada, take the time to research your options, connect with local beekeeping communities, and choose a queen that aligns with your beekeeping goals. Happy beekeeping!