Italian Honey Bees: Italian honey bees are the most popular and widely trusted choice for both new and experienced beekeepers. Known for their gentle temperament, strong foraging ability, and excellent honey production, they are easy to manage and adapt well to a wide range of climates. Snohomish Bee Company proudly endorses Italian bees as our #1 recommended honeybee for beginning beekeepers, making them an ideal choice for those starting their beekeeping journey.

Key Facts:

• Very gentle and easy to work with
• Excellent honey producers
• Strong and consistent foragers
• Adapt well to many climates
• Known for clean and organized hives

Carniolan Honey Bees: Carniolan honey bees are valued for their calm nature, hardiness, and ability to thrive in cooler climates. They build up quickly in the spring and are efficient foragers, adjusting their population based on available nectar and pollen. These traits make them a great choice for beekeepers looking for a responsive and resilient hive.

Key Facts:

• Calm and manageable temperament
• Strong spring build-up
• Excellent foragers
• Perform well in cooler climates
• Efficient population control based on forage

Saskatraz Honey Bees: Saskatraz honey bees are a selectively bred hybrid developed with a focus on productivity, winter survival, and mite tolerance. They are known for combining gentle behavior with strong colony performance, making them a solid option for beekeepers seeking resilient and productive bees across varying conditions.

Key Facts:

• Selected for winter hardiness
• Strong honey production
• Emphasis on mite tolerance
• Gentle and easy to manage
• Adaptable to a wide range of climates

Golden West Honey Bees: Golden West honey bees come from a research-based breeding program focused on gentleness, colony health, and productivity. These bees are field-tested for performance and selected to be easy to handle while maintaining strong brood patterns and honey production, making them a great option for thoughtful and hands-on beekeepers.

Key Facts:

• Gentle temperament
• Strong brood and colony health
• Excellent honey producers
• Field-tested for performance
• Selected with mite awareness in mind

Which Bee Is Right for You?

Choose Italian Honey Bees if you’re just getting started or want friendly, dependable bees that are easy to work with and produce plenty of honey.

Choose Carniolan Honey Bees if you live in a cooler area or want bees that respond quickly to spring blooms and changing conditions.

Choose Saskatraz Honey Bees if you want bees known for their toughness, winter strength, and well-rounded colony performance.

Choose Golden West Honey Bees if you’re looking for thoughtfully bred bees with a focus on gentle behavior, strong hives, and long-term success.