Beekind is your go-to spot for bees and beekeeping supplies in Sonoma County.

Northern California beekeepers can continuously depend on Beekind in Sebastopol for their bees to begin and expand their hives.

Beekind Package Bees are available to preorder starting in January until sold out.

Learn More and Order Bees

Doug Vincent Beekind photo by Maria Shayna Tzouvelekis

We Sell Bees

Learn about the bees we sell seasonally and explore our beekeeping supplies below. Available in-store only — come visit us for expert guidance and hands-on help selecting what you need!

About our Bees

At Beekind, our package bees are more than just livestock—they’re a living expression of Sonoma County’s unique coastal terroir and decades of beekeeping expertise. Each spring we offer 3-pound packages of worker bees complete with an open-mated queen, all housed in a reusable transport cage for safe delivery.

Since opening our Sebastopol storefront in 2004, we’ve partnered with third-generation beekeepers in Capay Valley to source vigorous Italian and Carniolan stock. In 2012, we began raising our own Local Stock—mixed-breed daughter queens mated right here in Sonoma County for unmatched adaptation to our microclimate.

Whether you choose our hardy Local Stock, early-foraging Italians, or cold-tolerant Carniolans, you’re getting bees selected for strength, productivity, and resilience. Explore the options below and get ready to grow your hive with bees bred for Sonoma’s seasons.

Step 1

Explore our Bees

Before ordering opens, take a sneak-peek at the three premium package options we offer. Each 3-lb colony comes with a newly mated queen and reusable transport cage.

Local Stock

Three-pound package of worker bees with one laying Local Queen. Locally adapted stock that have been untreated for several years living in California Coastal climate.

Italian

The classic favorite: gentle, fast-building colonies that excel on early nectar flows. Italians start work early in the spring, bringing in pollen by mid-morning and helping your hive ramp up quickly.

Carniolan

Expert winter-clusterers with a calm temperament and superb spring buildup. Carniolans adjust brood production responsively, so they won’t overextend your stores in colder spells.

Step 2

Be the First to Know

Spring pickups typically occur mid-April. Exact dates will be published as we get closer to bee availability.

Join our email newsletter to be notified when bees become available as well as beekeeping tips, news, and more!

Step 3

What to Know & FAQs

Before ordering opens, you can familiarize yourself with our reservation process, in-person pickup policy, and live-stock responsibility guidelines here.

Have further questions about bees? Contact us here!

FAQ

Have questions about how reservations work, where to pick up, or your responsibilities once you take home your bees? Explore the topics on the right, or download our complete Terms & FAQ document below for all the details.

View the most recent Beekeeping Supplies and Terms Brochure

Orders must be placed and paid in full before pickup—your spot will be confirmed by email.

We do not ship live bees; all packages are available for in-person pickup at our Sebastopol store. Pick up dates will be available to select at the time of your order.

Bees are sold as live livestock—once you take them home, you assume all risks related to transport, installation, and hive management.

Any cancellations or modifications to your reservation may incur a fee—full details will be included in your launch notification.

When will ordering open?

As soon as ordering opens, our email list will be the first to know! To be informed about exact dates, rates, and more information, be sure to sign up for our email list above!

Beekeeping Supplies

Beekeeping supplies are available in-store only — come visit us for expert guidance and hands-on help selecting what you need!

What you'll find in store:

Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve tended hives for years, Beekind in Sebastopol is your trusted local source for high-quality beekeeping supplies. Our team — led by longtime beekeeper Doug — will help you choose the right gear, understand the seasonal needs of your bees, and feel confident managing your hives.

Protective Gear

Suits, jackets, gloves, and veils

Essential Tools

Smokers, hive tools, bee brushes

Hive Components

Hive boxes, frames, foundations, bottom boards, and covers

Feeding & Health Supplies

Feeders, pollen patties, mite treatments

Stop by our Sebastopol Shop

We’re here to help you support your bees and grow your confidence.

921 Gravenstein Hwy S,
Sebastopol, Ca, 95472

(707) 824-2905

beekind@beekind.com

Mon-Sat: 10AM - 6PM
Sun:10AM - 4PM

Learn More on our Beekeeping Resources Page

Watch our Beekeeping 101 Lecture

For the first time, Doug Vincent's annual beekeeping 101 lecture is now available for all beekepers to learn from online!

For 20 years and counting, Beekind has helped thousands of new beekeepers feel confident in their journey.

Whether you're picking up bees from our shop or ordering your first hive, we’re here to support you every step of the way.

Watch the Beekeeping Lecture

Order Bees