Time: 6:00 am - 1:00 pm

Package Bees - Sell Price

TARGET PICK UP DATE: pick-up date at Pierco: Saturday April 8th, 2023. 

2023 Bees in Packages

OHB Saskatraz Queens

Saskatraz breeder queens are selected for honey production, wintering ability, temperament, tracheal mite resistance, varroa tolerance / resistance and brood diseases. The Saskatraz breeding program uses recurrent natural selection to select for varroa tolerance in productive colonies with good economic traits. We have found varroa tolerance is not a stable trait, with considerable variability in the daughters of selected breeder queen’s. In the last 3 or 4 years we have crossed high VSH lines with our naturally selected colonies to try and increase stability of the varroa tolerant trait. This looks to be promising and new lines are currently being evaluated. 

Saskatraz hybrids are being produced in Northern California using virgin queens from diverse families of Saskatraz breeder queens and open mating them with unrelated drone populations in the Orland area. These queens produce colonies with genetically diverse workers. This diversity results in increased vigor, and analyses of hybrid queens in Canada is showing fast spring build up and increases in honey production. Attention to fall stores for wintering and in the spring is necessary.

Use of Saskatraz hybrid stock in your apiaries should provide drone populations which will increase the frequency of alleles for honey production and varroa tolerance, as well as other economic traits. This is because drones from the hybrids carry the genetics of their mother, the breeder queen.

Saskatraz breeder queen traits:

• Excellent honey production
• Good wintering ability
• Selected for increased varroa tolerance and resistance to brood diseases.
• Show increased hygienic behavior.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Question: When will my bees be ready?

Answer:  Saturday April 8th, 2023 (one day only)

(Subject to change)

Question: How will you contact me?

Answer: We will reach out by email to schedule your pickup appointment for BEE PICKUP DAY!

Question: Will the pickup date change?

Answer: The pickup date is subject to change. We will give as much notice as possible in the event of a change. 

Changes: Please make sure to double check your order prior to submitting payment as orders are subject to a $10 change fee after the prepayment has been processed.

CANCELLATION/RESTOCKING CHARGE: 

There is a $50 non-refundable cancellation/restocking fee for canceled bee package orders.

NO SHOW: In the event you do not arrive on package pickup day, your funds will be forfeited.

Note: Package Bees do not qualify orders for Free Shipping.