Open Mated Dark Carniolan Queen - Date of dispatch from Hagens: Thursday May 22nd

£5.00 deposit today, remainder to be taken on the 1st of May 2025.

Date of dispatch from Hagens: Thursday May 22nd

A NOTE FOR BEGINNER BEEKEEPERS - A COLONY CAN'T BE STARTED WITH JUST A QUEEN BEE, YOU WILL NEED A NUC OF BEES, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR ANY ADVICE OR HELP WITH YOUR BEEKEEPING JOURNEY

There is a limited number of Queens which will be available for dispatch in May, June, July, August and September 2025, so secure your Queens for next season as soon as you can. Available to purchase as 1, 5 or 10 Queens. If you require more, please contact us.

Our trusted suppliers are thrilled to be working with Hagen's Bees after years of supplying Beekeepers in the UK. Our queens are not delivered days after being harvested and then flown halfway around the world, our Queens are collected by car carefully transported and delivered to our location the next day, inspected by DEFRA or National Bee Unit inspectors before being posted out to their new homes, this all takes place within 3 days.

You will receive one Queen in a travel cage (with fondant in the cage) and a small number of attendants. Please remember to remove the tabs at the base of the cage when introducing your Queen.

Our Queens are always sent using a next day, guaranteed service with Royal Mail, and can be shipped to Northern Ireland and mainland UK. Some areas of the UK (Channel Islands and Northern Ireland) will be a 2 day service.

Collection - You can choose to collect your Queens from us here in Kent. Select this option at the checkout and we will send you a time to collect your Queens nearer the time. 

Shipping - We have 2 delivery options for you. You can opt for either of the following at the checkout page - Royal Mail Tracked 24: £7.95 (next day delivery, not guaranteed) or Royal Mail Special Delivery: £9.95 (guaranteed end of next day delivery). Please ensure you enter your address correctly at checkout. We cannot be held liable for any failed deliveries if the address is incorrect or you aren't available to sign for your delivery.

As always, as these are live bees, orders for Queens are non-refundable.

Dead on arrival - we will replace any Queens that are received dead on arrival only if they are still in their sealed cage and reported within 8 hours of delivery to you. You must provide a video of the deceased queen with a piece of paper showing your order number and name.

The Carniolan honey bee, scientifically known as Apis mellifera carnica, is a subspecies of the western honey bee native to Slovenia and some surrounding regions. They are a popular choice among beekeepers worldwide, and here's why:

Origin and History

• Native to Slovenia: Carniolan bees originated in the southern part of the Austrian Alps and the northern Balkans, with a strong presence in the Kočevje region of Slovenia.
• Long history: They have been kept in their native region for centuries, adapting to the local climate and environment.
• Global spread: Their desirable traits led to their export around the world, making them one of the most popular honey bee subspecies today.

Characteristics...

Physical:

• Dark appearance: Carniolan bees are known for their dark, greyish-brown colour, with light grey to yellowish hairs along the edges of their abdomen.
• Medium size: They are generally considered to be of medium size, falling between the larger German Black Bee and the smaller Italian bee.
• Long tongues: They have exceptionally long tongues, making them efficient foragers, especially for flowers like red clover.

Behavioural:

• Gentle and docile: Carniolan bees are renowned for their calm temperament, making them a favourite for beginners and hobbyist beekeepers.
• Good honey producers: They are known for their honey production abilities, often yielding large crops.
• Early spring development: They build up their population quickly in the spring, taking advantage of early nectar flows.
• Swarming tendency: They have a moderate tendency to swarm, which requires attentive management from beekeepers.
• Winter hardy: They can overwinter well even in colder climates, forming small winter clusters and conserving resources efficiently.
• Disease resistant: They exhibit some resistance to certain bee diseases and parasites.

Why Carniolan bees are popular:

• Gentle nature: Their docile behaviour makes them easier to handle and reduces the likelihood of stings.
• Productivity: Their honey production and efficient foraging make them a rewarding choice for beekeepers.
• Adaptability: They are adaptable to a wide range of climates, contributing to their global popularity.

Beekeeping in Slovenia:

• National bee: In Slovenia, the Carniolan bee is not just a popular choice, it's the only legally permitted honey bee. It is protected by law as an indigenous species.
• Beekeeping tradition: Beekeeping has a long and rich tradition in Slovenia, with a high percentage of the population involved in beekeeping.
• Cultural significance: The Carniolan bee is an important part of Slovenian cultural heritage, and there's a strong emphasis on preserving this unique subspecies.

In summary:

Carniolan bees from Slovenia are valued for their gentle nature, productivity, adaptability, and disease resistance. They are a popular choice for beekeepers around the world and hold a special place in the beekeeping traditions of their native Slovenia.