Regarding bees: I encourage you if at all possible to find a local beekeeper willing to sell you nucs rather than ordering packages through the mail. Mann Lake,

Regarding bees: I encourage you if at all possible to find a local beekeeper willing to sell you nucs rather than ordering packages through the mail. Mann Lake, one of the largest package sellers in the country, positively screwed me to the tune of $400 this year. The packages you receive from national providers are almost by definition not healthy stock. Many of the sellers found online actually source their bees from the same few wholesalers (for lack of a better term) so be aware of who is actually providing your packages. Nucs are generally better acclimated to your local environment, are already a complete colony, and especially for the beginning beekeeper are far more likely to get you started out right.