Pre-Order your mated queen bees now for spring 2026!

We are now accepting pre-orders for the next round of mated queens expected to be ready in September or October 2026. We will update those who pre-order mated queens to ensure they are informed and aware of the anticipated arrival dates.

The Happy Beeing™ Approach

At Happy Bee, we don’t select queens based on labels — we supply queens based on how they perform in the hive.

The Happy Beeing™ program is built on a simple principle:

Select bees based on real-world performance, not just lineage.

Rather than relying on a single breeder or genetic line, we work with a range of trusted breeders, environments and bloodlines to identify queens that consistently deliver strong outcomes in practical beekeeping conditions.

What We Select For

Through this approach, we prioritise queens that produce:

• Calm, manageable colonies
  Bees that remain steady on the comb and are easier to inspect

• Hygienic behaviour
  Colonies that actively manage brood health and reduce disease pressure

• Resilience
  Bees that perform across changing weather patterns and seasonal conditions

• Strong brood patterns
  Consistent laying and well-formed brood structure

• Reliable productivity
  Colonies that build steadily and maintain stable behaviour over time

Why We Use Multiple Sources

By selecting from a variety of breeders and locations, we are able to:

• Maintain consistent supply across the season

• Adapt to weather and environmental variability

• Focus on performance over pedigree

• Provide queens suited to local and regional conditions

This approach reduces reliance on any single genetic line and allows us to deliver queens that are selected for how they actually perform in working hives.

What This Means for You

Instead of receiving a queen based on a specific label or brand, you receive a queen that has been selected for:

• real-world performance

• stability in the hive

• suitability to your environment

The focus is always on outcomes in your hive, not just origin on paper.

A Practical Note

Beekeeping involves live insects and natural variation.

Even with careful selection, outcomes can vary depending on:

• hive condition

• weather

• forage availability

• management practices

Our role is to give your hive the best possible starting point — ongoing success depends on conditions and care.

Caring for Your Queen on Arrival & Introduction Guide

On Arrival

• Collect promptly from your Post Office or delivery location

• Keep the cage in a cool, shaded, well-ventilated area

• Avoid direct sun, heat, or refrigeration

• If required, place a small drop of honey on the cage mesh for attendants

 Introduce your queen as soon as possible, ideally on the day of arrival

Preparing the Hive

• Ensure the hive is queenless for 12–24 hours

• Remove any queen cells

• Confirm adequate colony strength and stores

• Avoid introduction during extreme weather or stress conditions

Safe Introduction Method (Recommended)

1. Place the queen cage between brood frames

2. Ensure the candy plug is accessible

3. Do not manually release the queen

4. Allow bees to release her naturally over 2–4 days

After Introduction

• Do not disturb the hive for 5–7 days

• Look for eggs or young larvae as confirmation of success

• Temporary pauses in laying can occur during establishment

Treatment & Early Hive Management

Newly introduced queens require a short settling period to establish laying and pheromone control within the hive.

Avoid applying treatments or undertaking major hive interventions (including oxalic acid vapour, splitting, or heavy manipulation) during the first 1–2 weeks after introduction, as this can negatively impact queen acceptance and laying performance.

If a queen appears slow to begin laying, allow additional time before intervening, as it is not uncommon for queens to pause or delay laying during introduction and adjustment.

Outcomes can vary depending on hive condition, handling, and management practices following introduction.

Ordering and Shipping Information

Live mated queen bees are caught on Sundays only and posted on Mondays.

• Orders must be placed by close of business Friday to be included in the following week’s catch.

Shipping Requirements:

• Queens are shipped to a local Australia Post Office for collection only
• We do not ship to PO Boxes, parcel lockers, or residential/business addresses

• Shipping to a Post Office reduces transit time and improves outcomes for live bees

  Please provide your preferred Post Office location when ordering
  Prompt collection is essential — delays may impact queen condition and performance

Availability is seasonal and limited due to the way our queens are raised and held longer before release.

Why Choose Happy Bee

Happy Bee is a local live bee and beekeeping supplier based in Jiggi in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales. From our hives to yours, we focus on doing things properly, not quickly.

We supply customers throughout NSW, QLD, VIC, SA, and ACT.
Unfortunately, we are unable to ship to Tasmania and Western Australia.

For more information, contact us at hive@happybee.com.au