3lb Packages Italian, Carniolan, Saskatraz

Package Bees – 2026 Season

We are pleased to again to offer three-pound packages of Italian, Carniolan, and Saskatraz honeybees from Olivarez Honey Bees (OHB)—one of the most trusted honeybee producers in the country.

We were introduced to OHB during our studies at the University of Montana and have since used their bees extensively in our own operation. As we expand our apiaries this season, in addition to our own bees, we are using OHB bees exclusively due to their proven performance in colony health, overwintering success, Varroa tolerance, and honey production.

Choosing the Right Bee

Carniolan Bees
After 18 years of beekeeping in Wisconsin and 8 years in Olympia, WA, we have concluded that Carniolans have proven to be exceptionally well-suited for the Pacific Northwest. They forage in cool, damp conditions when other strains often will not, naturally reduce brood production in winter, and consume fewer honey reserves. In short, they overwinter very well in our climate.

Saskatraz Bees
Saskatraz are a Canadian-origin hybrid line that shares the strengths of Carniolans—strong overwintering, cool-weather foraging, and winter brood shutdown—with the added benefit of enhanced Varroa and disease resistance. These colonies have performed excellently for us season after season.

Italian Bees
Italian honeybees are gentle, calm, and highly productive, making them a popular choice worldwide and an excellent option for beginning beekeepers. They build comb and brood rapidly in spring and are strong foragers. Because Italians maintain larger winter clusters, they require closer monitoring of food stores during winter.

What Is a Package of Bees?

Each package contains three pounds of worker bees and a mated, laying queen. After almond pollination, bees are shaken into packages, weighed, and provided with a young laying caged queen and a can of sugar syrup to sustain them during transit.

Why We Recommend Packages

Some beekeepers love nucs, some beekeepers love packages. The debate between packages and nucs continues, but we prefer packages because they offer a clean, controlled start. Packages contain no comb or capped brood, meaning the only Varroa mites present are "phoretic" mites on adult bees. These can be easily treated with an early oxalic acid application—before brood is established.

With packages, you start with:

• Your own frames (new or existing)
• No unknown or damaged comb or frames
• A colony that can be made nearly if not completely mite-free from day one

Pricing

• 3 lb Italian bees — $155
• 3 lb Carniolan bees — $160
• 3 lb Saskatraz bees — $160

Quality You Can Trust

Olivarez Honey Bees consistently produces some of the healthiest, most robust bees we’ve worked with. In partnership with Randy Oliver, OHB has earned an outstanding reputation for quality genetics, strong colonies, and dependable performance.

Packages will be available in early April, however their exact arrive date is weather dependent and will be determined in later March. Order early so you don’t miss out on these great bees. If you have questions or would like to know more, please give us a call or send a text. (253) 381-0156