OHB Italian Queens
 
Italian queens form the backbone of OHB. We choose our breeder queens based on the hive's performance in honey production, gentleness, brood-rearing viability, and overall ability to overwinter healthy and heavy. In addition, OHB has worked with the "Tech Transfer Team," developed by world-renowned entomologist Marla Spivak, since before its official launch in an effort to identify and maintain desirable traits in our current stock. We've infused the "Minnesota Hygienic" and the "VSH" traits into our Italian stock, in an effort to enhance disease and mite resistance or tolerance.
 
Italian traits:
Gentle and easy to manage (a good "beginner bee")
Prolific brood producers
Highly hygienic
Good comb builders
Excellent foragers
Excellent honey producers