Overwintered Carniolan queens were reared in the previous season and kept through winter in our apiary. They provide an option for beekeepers who need a queen before newly mated queens from the current season become available.
We offer both overwintered production queens and overwintered purebred queens, by prior arrangement and subject to availability.
Why keep queens through winter?
Early spring can bring an urgent need to replace a failing queen. Keeping queens from the previous season can make a replacement available before the new queen-rearing season has produced mated queens.
Our existing seasonal offer places overwintered availability in April and early May. The actual number available and the dispatch date must be agreed with us.
What can overwintering demonstrate?
An overwintered queen has been present in a colony through a winter period. That gives an opportunity to observe survival and the colony’s subsequent development in those particular conditions.
It does not isolate the effect of genetics from winter weather, food reserves, colony health or management. Overwintering alone is therefore not proof of superior genetics, nor a guarantee of future performance in a different colony.
Two types of overwintered Carniolan queens
Overwintered Production Queens
These queens were reared as open-mated production queens in the previous season. They are intended for practical early-season requeening. Their maternal line is selected, while open mating does not establish an individual paternal pedigree. Read about our production queen programme.
Overwintered Purebred Queens
These queens come from the purebred option, with selected maternal lines and mating at an approved breeding station using selected drone colonies. Overwintering describes their age and seasonal availability; it does not change the underlying breeding category. Read about our purebred queen programme.
Early-season colony management
Replacing a queen is one part of assessing a weak or failing colony. Before arranging a replacement, consider whether the colony has adequate bees and stores and whether there is an underlying health or management problem. Introduction must suit the condition of the receiving colony.
Availability and enquiries
Numbers are limited because queens have been retained from the previous season. Please send the type and quantity required and your preferred timing. We will confirm availability and dispatch arrangements before an order is agreed.
Overwintered queens are supplied by prior agreement, with payment by bank transfer against a pro forma invoice. Current prices and the enquiry form remain on the order page.
Explore the background of Carniolan queen bees or compare the three types in Our Products.