Overwintered nucleus colonies from proven local stock. Healthy, hardy, and ready to thrive in Eastern Ontario's climate.
Upper Valley Bees was born out of a deep love for the land and a fascination with the quiet industry of the honeybee. We're based in the west end of Ottawa, where the city gives way to the rolling fields and hardwood forests of the Ottawa Valley.
We raise our bees the way the valley raised us — with patience, respect for the seasons, and an eye toward the long game. Our nucleus colonies are developed from local stock that has proven itself through Eastern Ontario winters, season after season.
Whether you're a brand-new beekeeper setting up your first hive, or an experienced hobbyist looking to expand, we're here to help you start strong.
Our 5-frame nucs are the best way to start or expand your apiary. Each one is assembled with care and built to hit the ground running as soon as warm weather arrives.
Each nucleus colony comes on five full-depth frames — two frames of brood in various stages, a frame of honey and pollen, and frames of drawn comb to give your new colony room to expand immediately.
Every nuc includes a mated, overwintered queen from our local breeding program. She's already proven she can survive an Ottawa Valley winter — that means her offspring are genetically predisposed to do the same.
Our bees are not imported package bees. They come from colonies that have lived and thrived in the Ottawa Valley for multiple seasons. They know our forage, our flora, and our frost — and they're built for it.
Nucs are available for pickup in the west end of Ottawa each spring, typically late May through June once colonies are well established and our queen has a solid laying pattern confirmed. We'll notify you as soon as your nuc is ready.
🔒 Nucs sell out quickly each season
We produce a limited number of nucs annually to ensure quality over quantity. Reserve your spot early using the contact form below — pricing and availability information provided upon inquiry.
The biggest factor in your first year of beekeeping is the quality of the colony you start with. Here's what sets our nucs apart.
Every queen in our program has survived at least one Ottawa Valley winter. That's not a marketing claim — it's the baseline requirement for being part of our breeding stock.
We don't rush nucs out the door. Each colony goes out with a strong, well-established population, capped brood, and resources to grow fast when placed in a full hive body.
We tell you exactly what's in your nuc, what to expect in the first few weeks, and what warning signs to watch for. No fluff — just practical advice from a beekeeper who's made the mistakes already.
We're in your region. If questions come up in your first season, reach out. We'd rather you have a thriving hive than a struggling one, and we're invested in your success.
Ready to start your colony this spring? Send us a message and we'll follow up with availability, pricing, and pickup details. We respond to all inquiries within 1–2 business days.
Orders are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend reaching out early in the year — typically January through March — to secure your spot for the season.