09/25/2026
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.............
There are currently 19 questions listed below. Please scroll past the listed questions for the answers. If your question is not listed here please give us a call at 1-912-367-9352, send us a message, or email us! We will be happy to assist you in any way that we can. We will continue building on this section as new questions arise. Have a Blessed Day!
Answers provided for the following questions:
Question 1) Who are we exactly?
Question 2) What kind of bees do you offer?
Question 3) What do you sell?
Question 4) Do you have a catalog?
Question 5) When will your queen cells hatch?
Question 6) What type of Queen Cages do you use?
Question 7) How much are your Packages/Nuc Colonies/Queens?
Question 8 ) How do I know I am Actually getting a Mated Queen?
Question 9) Do you ship packages and/or queens?
Question 10) Are your Shipped Orders Insured?
Question 11) I have my queen but where is my Invoice?
Question 12) How do I install a Package or a New Queen?
Question 13) When are Packages and/or Queens Available?
Question 14) When can I order Packages and Nuc Colonies for 2027?
Question 15) When can I order QUEENS for 2027?
Question 16) Is there a Waiting list for Packages/Queens/Nuc Colonies for 2027?
Question 17) How do I place an order?
Question 18) What forms of payment do you accept?
Question 19) What is your email address?
Question 1) Who are we exactly? *** We are a family oriented company located in Baxley, GA. A small company that started with a handful of people has now grown to more than 50 employees. Our location as been owned and operated by Mike Gardner as Gardner Apiaries/Spell Bee Co LLC for more than 25 years. We value high quality bees and queens. We hold our customer service at the highest level. We want you to feel like a part of the family also. We strive to make sure we produce the best bees and queens possible to help you build strong, healthy hives. Without us all giving back to the bee world, there may be no bees in the future. At the following link you will find Mr. Mike giving a presentation at the New Jersey Beekeepers Association. https://youtu.be/yF4i-rgA3L8
Question 2) What kind of bees do you offer? **** We only offer 1 type of honeybee…….our High Quality Italian HYBRIDS.
Our Hybrids are Italian Based crossed with Carniolan and Buckfast. We have continued with this hybrid because it continues to provide the best qualities and traits desired from all 3 strains. For more information check out our website at https://gardnerapiaries.com/
Question 3) What do you sell? **** We sell #3 size Bee Packages with a Mated Queen during the Spring Months. Spring Nuc Colony availability is limited and are pick up only. We sell Mated Queens during the Spring, Summer, and early Fall months. We sell our Queen Cells as they are available. We sell Honey by the jar, bucket, and drum. We do NOT offer new equipment or supplies.
Question 4) Do you have a catalog? **** We do not have a catalog BUT we do send emails for specials that run periodically during the course of the season. If you would like to be added to our email list please select the “Signup for Email updates” tab located on the left side of our main page or use our Contact form on our website at https://gardnerapiaries.com/contact-us/
Question 5) When will your queen cells hatch? **** Queen cells are available for pick up only and are cut off the day prior to hatching. This means that if you pick up your cells in the morning they will begin hatching that day into the afternoon. If you pick up in the afternoon the cells will begin hatching the next day. We do not offer 2 day cells. We have found that the take rate is not as high with cells cut off too early.
Question 6) What type of Queen Cages do you use? **** We have 2 types of cages:
a) Our everyday standard cage is the Benton Cage- a 3-hole wooden cage that holds the queen plus 4 or 5 attendants with candy. The standard 3-hole wooden cage is used unless a specific cage style is requested.
b) By Request Only for orders of 25+ queens : JZBZ Plastic queen cage – a plastic cage with a candy tube that holds only the queen. These cages are placed in plastic bars and shipped with attendant bees loose in the shipping box. JZBZ requested orders must be received a minimum of 24 hours in advance of requested shipping date to allow time to prepare.
Question 7) How much are your Packages/Nuc Colonies/Queens? **** Current Prices can be viewed on our main page or at our website location https://gardnerapiaries.com/
Mail Order prices and Pick Up prices are different. Our prices fluctuate throughout the year. All changes are updated accordingly. We do run specials from time to time. Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date.
Question 8 ) How do I know I am Actually getting a Mated Queen? **** Our queens are NATURALLY MATED. All of our queens are verified as successfully mated before they are caged and sent to you to install. Our queens are kept in their mating boxes a minimum of 20 days to help ensure proper mating. Sealed brood must be present after that time period for a queen to be selected for caging.
Question 9) Do you ship packages and/or queens? **** We offer shipping on #3 size Packages and Individual Queen orders. The Shipping & Handling cost is NOT included in the price of the Package or the Queens. Mail Order Prices for packages and queens differ from the listed Pick Up Prices. Our #3 Size Packages are shipped by USPS. Shipping #3 Bee Packages via USPS averages 2 to 3 days for most areas. Some locations may take 4-5 days for delivery.
Our Mated Queens are shipped with UPS Next Day Delivery and UPS 2nd Day Delivery. UPS Rates are specific to each customer. Rate quotes are provided by phone prior to placing an order.
We do NOT offer shipping for Nuc Colonies.
Question 10) Are your Shipped Orders Insured? **** We self insure our shipped orders to most locations. This means that if your Queen or Package dies during shipping we will replace it one time at cost. Buyer will pay replacement shipping cost. We must be contacted the day the order is received. We will request a photo be submitted of the received order to confirm loss before the replacement will be shipped out. When you call to place an order, we will verify if your location falls within our self insured area before shipping.
Question 11) I have my queen but where is my Invoice? **** If your queen order was received in our BROWN shipping box please look at the underside of your box. Invoices and receipts are placed in a Red Plastic Invoice sleeve that is attached to the outside BOTTOM of the brown shipping boxes. In the excitement of receiving your new queen they are easy to miss 😁 All white shippers will have the Invoice Sleeve attached to the side or top of the white boxes. If you do not see the Red Invoice Sleeve on your box please give us a call at 912-367-9352. We will be happy to send a copy of your Invoice by mail or email as requested.
Question 12) How do I install a Package or a New Queen? **** We have instruction sheets available that can be requested upon ordering. These can be emailed or mailed at no charge. A copy will also be included in your Red Invoice Sleeve. Please let us know if you are using 2nd hand equipment or NEW equipment. This does make a difference in how you install your new bees. We have a short video available on our page demonstrating installing a new queen in a wooden cage. It can also be viewed at the following link https://youtu.be/BsfZFlyxZRQ We hope to be adding a Package installation video in the near future.
Question 13) When are Packages and/or Queens Available? **** Our bee package Season runs from March to May each year. Shipping availability for Bee Packages fluctuates between mid-April and May. We do not offer shipping for #3 Bee Packages after the month of May due to the heat. Beginning June 1st we are able to shake small quantity Bee Package orders for Pickup only.
Mated Queens are usually available from March until late September/early October for both shipping and pickup.
A minimum of 24 hours advance notice is required for all pickup orders.
Question 14) When can I order #3 Bee Packages and Nuc Colonies for 2027? **** We will begin taking Pick-Up Orders for 2027 Bee Packages and Nuc Colonies after the close of the 2026 Season (usually around mid-October). Requests for SHIPPED Packages will be taken after January 1, 2027. Due to the volume of our current yearly standing orders all new customers will be added to our May pick up calendar at the earliest date available. All initially scheduled dates are tentative. As earlier dates open up all scheduled orders are bumped up in the order they are added. We will confirm all potential date changes with our customers before actual changes are made.
Question 15) When can I order QUEENS for 2027? **** We will begin taking orders for our 2027 QUEENS after January 1, 2027.
Question 16) Is there a Waiting list for Packages/Queens/Nuc Colonies for 2027? **** As we begin to take orders and our dates fill up we will begin a waiting list. If you would like to be added to that list please let us know when you call. As dates become available we will contact waiting list numbers in the order they are added.
Question 17) How do I place an order? **** Give us a call at 912-367-9352 to place your order. All orders MUST be received by phone. Online ordering is not available at this time. We will be happy to answer questions by messenger or by email. In the event that we cannot answer your initial call please leave your name, number and a brief message on our machine. We WILL return your call as quickly as possible.
Question 18 ) What forms of payment do you accept? **** We accept Cashier’s Checks, Money Orders, Cash, and all major Credit/Debit cards. Credit/Debit card payments can be made either by phone, through our Online CoCard Payment link, or in person. There are NO ADDED FEES to use a Credit/Debit card as payment for your order. We do NOT accept Personal Checks, PayPal, or Venmo. Business checks MUST be approved prior to payment to be accepted. For larger orders we do accept Wire Transfer payments (minimum $200 per transaction); Wire Transfer information details will be provided on request.
Question 19) What is your email address? **** You can reach us at [email protected]
If you would like to be added to our mailing list please select the “Signup for Email updates” tab located on the left side of our main page or use our Contact form on our website at https://gardnerapiaries.com/contact-us/
