Our Story

Bear Creek Apiaries was founded on a passion for beekeeping and a commitment to supporting the vital role that honeybees play in our ecosystem. What started as a hobby has grown into a thriving small business, allowing us to share the fruits of our labor with neighbors and honey enthusiasts throughout the region.

Our Honey

Bear Creek honey is a raw, multifloral wildflower honey from Florida's Panhandle. Our bees gather nectar from a wide variety of native blooms — clover, Spanish needle, holly, palmetto, gallberry, wild blackberry, and the local trees and shrubs of Gadsden County. The result is a full-bodied yet approachable honey with a rich, balanced sweetness, gentle floral notes, and earthy undertones, typically medium-to-dark amber in color.

Because it comes from many nectar sources rather than a single flower, every batch is a "taste of place" — its flavor shifts with the seasons and local bloom conditions. Honey harvested in spring tends to be lighter and more delicate, while late-season honey is darker, fuller-bodied, and more robust. We never heat or over-filter our honey, ensuring that you receive a product that is:

• 100% raw and unfiltered
• Rich in natural enzymes and antioxidants
• Full of local pollen, which may help with seasonal allergies
• Free from additives, preservatives, or artificial ingredients
• Gathered by mite-resistant bees raised without pesticide treatments

Our Mite-Resistant Bees

One thing sets our colonies apart: our bees are bred for natural mite resistance. Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) bees have inherited traits that help them survive infestations of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor — the single biggest threat to honeybee health. Rather than relying on chemical miticides, our bees do the work themselves through behaviors like:

• Hygienic behavior — detecting and removing mite-infested brood
• Varroa Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) — specifically targeting brood where mites are reproducing
• Grooming behavior — removing mites from themselves and their nestmates

Choosing mite-resistant stock isn't just better for the bees — it's better for you and for the environment. It means:

• Fewer chemical treatments — lower mite loads naturally, with far less need for miticides and less risk of chemical residue in our wax and honey
• Healthier colonies — fewer of the viruses that mites spread, so our bees stay strong
• Better winter survival — colonies enter winter in better condition and overwinter more successfully
• Sustainable beekeeping — less dependence on chemical controls and a healthier future for our hives

Beekeeping Services

In addition to our honey products, we offer bee starter kits (nucs) for those interested in starting their own beekeeping journey. Each nuc is $175, with volume discounts available, and includes:

• Five frames of bees, ready to establish in your hive
• A healthy, laying queen
• Frames of brood in various stages
• Sufficient worker bees and food stores to help the colony thrive

Nucs are available for pickup or local delivery only.

Our Commitment

We believe in ethical beekeeping that puts the health and welfare of our bees first. Our practices include:

• Breeding mite-resistant (VSH) bees to manage pests naturally, with minimal chemical treatment
• Minimal intervention in hive operations
• Ensuring adequate food stores for our bees year-round
• Supporting native pollinator populations
• Educating our community about the importance of bees

Visit Us

We love connecting with our customers and fellow beekeeping enthusiasts. Whether you're interested in purchasing honey, starting your own hives, or simply learning more about bees, we're here to help.