Queens do not qualify for free shipping You will receive an email confirmation when you place your order. This does not mean your queen has been shipped. You will receive a second email with tracking information alerting you when your queen will arrive. CAUCASIAN QUEEN TRAITS: Old World strain known for gentleness and productivity Likely to fly earlier, later, and in cooler conditions Exceptional honey production Tend to gather large amounts of propolis Sanitary behaviors in the hive Easily handle harsh winter conditions The Caucasian honeybee originates from the country of Georgia in the Caucasus mountain region. Caucasian honeybees are an Old World strain known for their gentleness and productivity. This trait, coupled with a propensity to fly earlier, later, and in cooler conditions results in a bee that is renowned for exceptional honey production. Another interesting trait is their tendency to gather larger amounts of propolis than most bees. Propolis has medicinal qualities and helps the bees defend their hive from invaders and drafts. Propolis is an essential component of honeybee survival and valuable hive product. A well-sealed sanitary hive and a very frugal winter cluster makes for an extremely hearty bee that can handle harsh winters and produce huge crops. QUEEN SOURCE: Our source for Caucasian genetics is Sue Cobey and Steve Shepperd at the WSU breeding program, through a California queen breeder. We keep them banked and they are caged and shipped from our store daily. MATED: Yes, all queens are open mated SHIPPING DETAILS: During the shipping season, orders placed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will not be shipped until the following Monday. Orders placed Mon-Thurs. will be shipped on the same or next day. All queens are shipped UPS Next Day Air (exceptions for Ground Shipping apply in parts of WI and MN) Queens do not qualify for free shipping Queen Orders of 8 or less will be shipped in 3 Hole queen cages with attendants. Shipped in an envelope or small overnight box Queen Orders of 9+ will be shipped in Mini Cages with candy tubes in a bag under the queens. Shipped in a Screen Shipping Box with loose bulk bees. TO READ OUR QUEEN SHIPPING POLICY CLICK HERE PICKUP DETAILS: Queens are also available for purchase In-Store during business hours. Queens are only caged once a day, and certain breeds may sell out by the end of the day. We recommend calling ahead to guarantee availability if you want to get a specific queen type. QUEEN OPTIONS: None – No Marking or Clipping. Queen Clipping – These queens will have 1 wing Clipped. Queen Marking – These queens will be marked with a painted dot on her thorax (Color will depend on the year). Queen Marking and Clipping – These queens will be marked with a painted dot on her thorax (Color will depend on the year) and 1 wing will be Clipped. **(Package Bees include a queen in the package) Queen Replacement video featuring Randy Oliver, Watch here.
