Getting your first colony is one of the most exciting milestones in beekeeping — but also one of the most confusing. Beginners quickly discover there are several ways to acquire bees, and the right choice can make your first season smooth and confident… or surprisingly difficult.
This guide explains the three main options: nucs, packages, and swarms, including what they are, how they differ, what they cost, and what beginners should choose in their first year.
I. What Are Your Options for Getting Bees?
Beginners typically obtain bees in one of three ways:
Understanding the differences helps you start with a strong, calm, healthy colony.
1. What Is a Nucleus Colony (Nuc)?
A beginner’s best starting option
A nuc (pronounced “nuke”) is a small, established colony that includes:
- 1 mated, laying queen
- 3–6 frames of brood
- Honey and pollen stores
- Worker bees of all ages
- A functioning colony structure
You literally get a miniature working hive ready to expand into your full hive box.
Pros
- Very beginner-friendly
- Colony already organised and thriving
- Brood at all stages = good population growth
- You can immediately start inspections and learning
- Lower risk than packages or swarms
- Sold during optimal starting season (late spring)
- Local nucs = bees adapted to your climate
Cons
- More expensive than packages
- Pre-order often needed
- Availability limited by local breeders
Cost
Typically £150–£250 in the UK depending on breeder and queen lineage.
Best for
Beginner beekeepers — by far the easiest, safest, and most reliable start.
2. What Is a Package of Bees?
A box of bees without frames
A package is a ventilated box containing:
- 1 caged queen
- 1–1.5 kg of worker bees
- A syrup feeder can
- No frames
- No brood
You install the bees onto empty frames, and the colony builds from scratch.
Pros
- Usually cheaper than nucs
- Bees draw fresh comb
- Available earlier in the season
- Useful for teaching colony establishment
Cons
- Higher failure rate for beginners
- Bees must accept the new queen
- No brood → slower early growth
- Stressful installation
- Mostly imported in the UK
Cost
Usually £110–£160 depending on supplier.
Best for
Intermediate beekeepers or those in countries where packages are the norm (e.g., US).
3. What Is a Swarm?
Free, exciting, but unpredictable
A swarm is a natural cluster of bees that has left its original hive.
Swarm collecting can be thrilling — but it’s not an ideal beginner starting point.
Pros
- Free or very cheap
- Natural, vigorous bees
- Excellent learning for later beekeeping
Cons
- Uncertain queen quality
- Unknown health history
- High risk of disease
- Harder for beginners to manage
- No guarantee of temperament
- Alignment with local laws may be required
- Only available when bees choose to swarm
Cost
Often free if collected yourself or from local swarm coordinators.
Best for
Experienced beekeepers who already know how to assess colony health and temperament.
II. Which Option Should Beginners Choose?
Best Choice for First-Year Beekeepers: A Local Nuc
A local, overwintered or spring nuc is the most reliable, least stressful, and easiest path to success.
You start with:
- a laying queen
- brood in all stages
- a stable population
- predictable growth
- minimal risk
- bees adapted to your area and climate
A nuc gives you the greatest chance of a strong colony by late summer — and often, your first honey.
III. Where to Buy Bees Safely
For your first colony, choose:
- reputable local beekeeping associations
- certified local breeders
- beekeepers with strong reviews or mentorship experience
- sellers who do not import queens unnecessarily
Avoid:
- anonymous sellers on marketplace sites
- bees imported from hot climates (poor adaptation to UK)
Ask for:
- proof of healthy brood
- temperament details
- queen age
- disease history
- overwintering performance
IV. When to Start Looking
- January–March → Pre-order
- April–June → Nucs available
- May–July → Swarm season
- Early spring → Package bees (varies by region)
Order early — quality nucs sell out fast.
V. Transporting Your Buzzing Colony
Transporting bees both in a nuc box and in beehives is rather simple in the boot of a car.
Important:
- to secure the nuc so that it does not wobble, shake or fall on its side — you would not want to squash your bees!
- to drive carefully and avoid unnecessary breaking and sharp acceleration.
- to wear a beekeeper’s suit — one can never be too careful.
Correx nuc box is an excellent choice for transporting bees — just make sure you secure it properly in your vehicle:
it has tabs to lock the lid in place, it is ventilated, it accommodates 5 frames, so when they are all in place, the frames are secure, they do not move and damage bees.
The nuc box comes flat with detailed instructions on how to assemble it, it is very easy.
Final Advice for First-Time Bee Buyers
- Choose a local nuc if at all possible
- Avoid buying bees too early (cold spring risk)
- Don’t wait too late (poor availability)
- Ask your local club for breeder recommendations
- Inspect your nuc on pickup day if allowed
- Have your hive fully set up before bee arrival
Starting with strong, well-sourced bees makes your entire first season smoother and more enjoyable.
For more beginner guidance, explore:
👉 Your First Steps in Beekeeping: The Complete Beginner’s Guide
👉 How Much Does Beekeeping Really Cost? A Practical Beginner’s Breakdown
👉 How To Choose Your First Hive: A Guide to 4 Common Beehive Types
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