Description
👑 About Our Johnston County Italian Queens
Every queen we sell is raised right here on our farm in Johnston County, NC. We don’t mass produce queens — we carefully select our breeder stock from the healthiest, gentlest, and most productive hives in our operation, a line that dates back to 2021. This hands-on, artisanal approach is what sets our queens apart from mass-produced alternatives.
🧬 How We Raise Our Queens
Our queens are open-air mated in our production apiary of 21+ hives at McGees Crossroads (40/42), Johnston County, NC. We prioritize strong local genetics and high drone density to give every queen the best possible mating. The result is a queen that’s adapted to local North Carolina conditions from day one.
Before any queen is posted for sale, she is confirmed mated and laying for 1–2 weeks. We personally verify her laying pattern to ensure she is well-mated, healthy, and ready to lead a strong colony. Our rule is simple: if we wouldn’t put her in our own hive, we won’t sell her to you.
📦 What You Receive
- One locally bred and mated Italian queen bee — marked for easy identification
- Queen arrives in a JZBZ queen cage with attendant bees
- Best installation method: rubber band the cage directly to a frame in the hive
🐝 Why Italian Bees?
Italian honey bees (Apis mellifera ligustica) are one of the most popular and well-regarded subspecies in the world — and for good reason. They’re known for being gentle, productive, and easy to work with, making them an excellent choice for both new and experienced beekeepers.
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🍯 High Productivity Excellent honey producers and focused on raising brood |
😊 Gentle & Docile One of the calmest subspecies — great for residential areas |
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🌸 Excellent Foragers Actively seek out nectar and pollen sources across a wide range |
🏗️ Strong Comb Builders Readily build comb and eagerly move into supers |
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🔄 Low Swarm Tendency Less likely to swarm than many other subspecies |
🧹 Strong Hygiene Excellent cleaning behaviors that help fight disease |
| ☀️ Best For: Areas with continuous nectar flow and favorable weather through the summer — perfect for North Carolina’s climate | |
🐝 14+ Years of Experience Behind Every Queen
When you buy a queen from Shuga Bee Farm, you’re getting more than a bee — you’re getting the knowledge and care of a family that’s been keeping bees in Johnston County for over 14 years. We’re proud members of the Johnston, Wake, and Wilson County Beekeepers Associations and the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association (NCSBA).
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