Dark Bee Nucleus Colony on Zander Frames brought to the Point

By choosing a Dark Bee nucleus colony on Zander frames, you are selecting the original honey bee subspecies of Central Europe. The Dark Bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) was historically native to Germany and large parts of Europe and is still highly valued today for its exceptional resilience, robust constitution, and excellent overwintering ability, especially in cooler and changeable climates.

In addition to its cold hardiness, the Dark Bee is often credited with a better natural tolerance to the Varroa mite compared to many modern breeding lines. Its pronounced hygienic behavior and natural adaptability make it an attractive choice for beekeepers who value original genetics, hardy bee colonies, and sustainable beekeeping practices.

Our Dark Bee nucleus colonies on Zander frames consist of a strong and well-balanced population on 5 frames. Each nucleus colony is thoroughly checked for health and vitality prior to shipping. Upon request, a corresponding health certificate can be provided after receipt of the bees. You receive high-quality Dark Bees directly from a specialized breeder.

Dark Bee Nucleus Colonies on Zander Size Hardworking and High-Yielding

The Scandinavian Apis mellifera mellifera has proven particularly effective during average to poor weather conditions. In cool, windy, or unstable weather, it shows high activity and strong performance. Compared to modern bee strains such as Buckfast, it is often more persistent, builds combs reliably, and continues to collect nectar even under suboptimal conditions. As a result, it delivers excellent honey yields, especially in regions with variable climates.

Our Dark Bee queen has been carefully evaluated and is, in our experience, slightly more lively than traditional Finnish lines, while at the same time being more resilient and adaptable. When it comes to gentleness, honesty is essential: a true Dark Bee will generally not reach the docility of heavily bred Carnica or Buckfast lines, as its original traits emphasize survival and robustness. However, during good nectar flow and normal temperatures, our Dark Bee colonies are calm and manageable. We advise against opening or working the colonies during thunderstorms or very unstable weather.

Your benefits at a glance:

• Very high honey yields, especially in moderate to poor weather

• Lively and resilient bee strain

• Exceptional robustness and adaptability

Composition of the Dark Bee Nucleus Colony on Zander Frames

Our Dark Bee nucleus colonies on Zander frames are ideal for stocking your hive with a young, high-performing bee colony and a proven queen. Each nucleus colony includes a total of 5 frames, consisting of:

• 3 frames with brood (open and capped)

• 1 food frame

• 1 partially built frame

Each delivery also includes a tested, already mated Dark Bee queen bred from purebred queen lines. She ensures stable colony development and the long-term sustainability of the bee colony.

Delivery of the Dark Bee nucleus colonies on Zander size generally takes place from early June onwards, depending on weather conditions and colony development. You can conveniently select your preferred delivery period in the product options.

Zander Frames Easy Integration into Your Hive

As there is a wide variety of hive systems available, we offer our Dark Bee nucleus colonies on Zander frames, one of the most popular and widely used hive formats in Germany. The nucleus colonies can be easily installed into standard Zander hives.

Thanks to the identical frame size between the nucleus colony and your hive, relocation is stress-free, allowing the bees to settle quickly and with minimal disturbance.

Zander frame dimensions:

• Top bar length: 477 mm

• Bottom bar length: 420 mm

• Height: 220 mm

Stress-Free Shipping & Buy Dark Bee Nucleus Colonies on Zander Frames Online

To ensure that your Dark Bee nucleus colonies on Zander frames arrive healthy and vigorous, we use exclusively specially designed bee transport boxes. These provide secure frame fixation, adequate food supply, and optimal airflow throughout transport. Shipping is carried out via overnight express, keeping transport time as short and stress-free as possible.

Approximately 2–7 days prior to dispatch, you will be informed by email of the exact delivery date, allowing you to plan the receipt and immediate installation of the bees. Please ensure that you are available at the delivery address (home or apiary) at the specified time so the bees can be promptly removed from the transport box and installed into the hive.

We deliver our Dark Bee nucleus colonies on Zander frames to Germany, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Delivery to islands is only possible if a direct road connection to the mainland exists.