Nucs are now listed for 2025. Summer nucs with local queens will be available when the weather allows. For good mating weather (and well-mated, long-lived queens), it is unlikely that Summer nucs with local queens will be available before mid-June.

5 deep frames or 8 medium frames of healthy bees, brood, honey, and a queen. When possibly, our summer nucs' queens are raised in their nuc and get to lay for an extended period. Even when introduced, the queens are given a full month to acclimate to their nuc, so you will never get an unaccepted queen in a cage. No box returns necessary on Deep nucs. Medium nucs will come in a plywood nuc box, which we would like back (Medium nuc price includes a $25 refundable box and strap deposit). Nucleus hives must be picked up in Shoreline. We do not ship bees.

These nucs are raised by Rainy Day Bees in the Seattle area.

• Summer nucleus hives are usually available from late June through September. Summer nucs are made up from our honey bee stock, using a queen raised by Rainy Day Bees or another local queen producer. Please contact us to confirm availability and timing.

• All nucleus hive purchasers are automatically subscribed to our annual nuc purchaser list, which includes periodic emails regarding what you should be seeing/doing in your hives at a given time of year, as well as anything that we are noticing in our hives that is unique to this year. You may request to opt out via email.