Michigan open mated queen bees from carefully selected breeders that are gentle, productive, and healthy. Queens are bred from various matrilines to promote diversity with healthy drones within range of mating yards. We routinely inspect for pests and disease and put extra efforts into keeping our bees and subsequent queens as clean as possible from mites and viral transmission.
Availability: Queens are available from May until July depending on weather events and stock. All queens are allowed a minimum of 21 days from hatch to mate and mature and have their laying patterns assessed. We catch queens as close to pickup as possible to ensure that queens have strong pheromone and good acceptance.
Shipping: We ship queens in the lower 48 states using USPS Priority (usually $10.20 + tax) or Express ($33.00 + tax) depending on customer’s preferences. Small quantities (1-5 queens) will be shipped in hole-punched envelopes and all cages will contain attendants. Larger quantities will receive a “riteway shipper” screened box containing queens with cover bees and no attendants. If you have any questions about these details, please call or write me.
Marking: All queens are marked with a non-toxic paint marker. The color for 2026 is white, but don’t be surprised if you get a pink or purple queen. We like bright colors!
Transport: Queens are transported in JZBZ cages with a candy plug. This does not require removal or tampering before placement into the hive.
Note to prospective buyers: Once received, the buyer is responsible for the welfare of the queen and inserting her into a hive or bank as soon as possible. We do not take responsibility for purchased queens harmed through neglect or inappropriate storage.
Interested in getting on the queen calendar and ordering ahead? Please fill out the form and put your desired date for pickup or shipping in the “comments” section and we will be in touch with you!
Looking to begin your beekeeping journey or add more hives to your apiary? Our nucs have a fresh 2026 queen, 3 frames of brood, and 1-2 combs of honey and pollen to provision them as they grow into your equipment. All queens will be marked.
Bulk pricing available - please contact Shaana directly at 269-274-9354 or grassrootshoney@gmail.com.
**PLEASE READ!**
The price of 2026 5-frame nucleus hives is $185.00.
Nuc purchase requires a $50.00 deposit and the remaining $135.00 due at pickup.
We can accept remaining balance of payment through cash, check, or various payment apps.
Nucs are available for pickup only in Galesburg, Michigan. Delivery within a reasonable radius can be arranged for a fee.
PLEASE NOTE:
Nuc pickup times will be arranged for mornings or evenings around the first week of May 2026.
All colonies will have been inspected for quality, queen presence, and swarm cells within 1-2 days of pickup to confirm good health and quality.
I will ensure that what you receive is what you paid for!
As the buyer, it is your responsibility to install the nuc into a new hive as soon as possible.
Thank you for your consideration!
The taste of fresh air, sunshine, and a field of flowers all wrapped into one…
Which flowers make our honey?
Spring: Dandelions, apple (cultivated and crab), wild plums, tulip, autumn olive, redbud, black locust, briars, black cherry - to name a few.
Summer: a mixture of wildflowers, clover, many species of basswood, and more.
(pssssst….plant what I listed above if you want to help the bees!)
We’re out of 2025 honey! 2026 spring and summer varietals will be available soon. The nectar flow is right around the corner.
Farm pickup in Galeburg or find us monthly at the Kalamazoo Farmer’s Market from May through October.
If you can dream it, we can probably make a candle of it.
Halloween, Christmas, bees, flowers, you name it!
Candle factory starts in September after honey extraction and goes until Christmas, so inventory is limited during this time of year (spring). But we are always willing to try to squeeze in custom orders.
Enjoy the gift of gentle pure light that creates a calm atmosphere or be prepared for a power outage.
Stock available is subject to change!
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