Shop

Sugarbag bees produces and sells a range of stingless bee keeping products including a hive stocked with bees, empty hive boxes, roofs and mounts for hives, tools and propolis. See below for a description of these products. (All prices include GST, please note NT and WA orders may incur additional postage charges, we will email you after purchase if so). There is a 20kg limit per package sent.

Our products are designed to suit OATH boxes - 200x280 mm.

If you are purchasing a hive stocked with bees to be shipped to you and wish to purchase other accessories, please submit your total order as "pick up" (as the stocked hives have shipping included in the price - $650 within QLD, and $700 to NSW).

Hive Stocked With Bees
$600

Current availability: All new orders will be placed on a wait list for summer 2025. We have a lot of people waiting already and do not yet know how our hive stocks have fared over winter. If you order now it is likely you will receive your hive in February. Place your order here to be added to the wait list and we will be in touch when a hive is ready for you.

We cannot accept part-payments.

Gift certificates available after purchase, please email us.

Want to keep your own stingless bees? You can start by finding your own nest in need of rescue and transferring it to a box, or pleading with a friend to share theirs with you. Or you can take an easy path and buy your first hive.

Pricing

We sell Honey OATH hives stocked with a strong nucleus of bees for $600 each. This price includes a complimentary metal roof. Our hives have a clear brood excluder that is taped over, confining the bees to the bottom two boxes to allow for wonderful temporary viewing opportunities. A closure is included with your stocked hive to keep the bees in. We sell two bee species, see details below.

read more

Current availability: All new orders will be placed on a wait list for summer 2025. We have a lot of people waiting already and do not yet know how our hive stocks have fared over winter. If you order now it is likely you will receive your hive in February. Please note - these wait times are approximate only and are influenced by rain, cool temperatures, our capacity to go beekeeping and the individual colonies progress. If your hive is to be couriered to you, any restrictions or holidays that may cause courier delays will be considered at the time your hive is ready. We will keep you in the loop but please be patient - we only want to provide strong and busy hives and are at the mercy of the bees themselves. We very much appreciate your support, and promise it will be worth the wait!
Place your order here to be added to the wait list and we will be in touch when a hive is ready for you.

It is important that we know where the hive is destined for - please contact us if the bees are destined for somewhere different to what you enter during check out.

We cannot accept part-payments.

Gift certificates available after purchase, please email us.

Want to keep your own stingless bees? You can start by finding your own nest in need of rescue and transferring it to a box, or pleading with a friend to share theirs with you. Or you can take an easy path and buy your first hive.

Pricing

We sell Honey OATH hives stocked with a strong nucleus of bees for $600 each. This price includes a complimentary metal roof. Our hives have a clear brood excluder that is taped over, confining the bees to the bottom two boxes to allow for wonderful temporary viewing opportunities. A closure is included with your stocked hive to keep the bees in. We sell two bee species, see details below.

For placing an order to purchase a stocked hive please read. For local pickup, we usually have hives available (unless there is a wait list time listed, see above). When mailing hives, we charge a postage and handling fee of $50 for QLD and $100 for NSW. If you are needing your hive couriered, there may be a slightly longer wait period. Various payment options are available. If we do have a wait list please proceed with ordering as usual and we will contact you closer to when the hive is ready to arrange a date to collect/send. We cannot accept part-payments or deposits.

Please note - we do not send our bees north of Mackay as we wish to avoid genetic pollution between two distinct populations of hockingsi bees

In preparing for the arrival of your recently purchased hive, or while considering whether to buy a hive, there are a few important factors to consider. These include:

Our GUARANTEE

We guarantee the survival of hives for one year as long as they are treated properly. You must follow the advice given by us in terms of positioning and moving your hive, and take reasonable steps to ensure their survival. If your hive dies under these conditions, we will replace it, free of charge, upon return of the original dead hive box. Note that we cannot guarantee a hive that experiences temperatures of greater than 42°C, less than 0°C, receives direct sun after 10 am in summer, is kept outside their natural geographical range, is opened, is split, or has honey extracted. Fire and flood damage excluded.

Our BOXES

See the product page for an in-depth description of our honey OATH hives, https://shop.sugarbag.net/products/honey-oath-design. We only sell pine honey OATH hives stocked with bees. A closure is included with your stocked hive purchase as this is how we keep the bees inside, ready for you to release at home.

Which species?

We sell two Australian native social stingless bee species - Tetragonula carbonaria and Tetragonula hockingsi. These species have different natural ranges dependent on temperature and we send our hives to areas with warm climates between Nowra, NSW and Mackay, QLD.

Tetragonula carbonaria naturally occurs in coastal areas between Nowra NSW and Bundaberg Qld. This is the most cold tolerant species and can survive in many parts of NSW, including all coastal areas from Nowra north. However as you move inland from the coast and the moderating influence of the ocean, the climate becomes less favourable. This is especially true where you gain altitude. So Canberra and Katoomba are definitely not suitable. Areas where you can grow bananas perennially and they bear fruit, may also be suitable to keep carbonaria. If you get heavy frosts, it may not be suitable. If just an occasional frost, then it could be OK. Remember, they are really a subtropical species. In cooler areas hives need to be carefully sited and managed. Harvesting honey from hives in these areas may not be possible. These bees will not fly below 18°C and they need their stored food to survive through winter. It also may never be possible to propagate your hive in these areas. Certainly people do divide hives and extract honey in Sydney, but usually close to the coast where the extremes of low and high temperature are moderated. If purchasing a hive for location is such areas, we would not be able to offer our usual guarantee if they succumbed to cold in the winter. 

We also have hives of Tetragonula hockingsi available for sale. This species is well suited to warm suburban areas of Queensland, particularly from Brisbane surrounds and northwards.

We will allocate you the most appropriate species for your area. If you have a species preference (some areas of QLD only) please EMAIL US after placing your order.

We MUST know what suburb the hive is destined for. If the destination is different to the shipping/billing address you enter during check out, please email us with details of where they will be headed to.

If you are unsure that Tetragonula species is suitable for your area, please email us first.

We do not sell bees separate to the hive box.

You will receive an email after your purchase with some important information about your hive - please check your spam or junk folder!


The Australian Native Bee Book
$40

The Australian Native Bee Book describes native bees generally and provides a complete guide to keeping Australian native stingless bees. It is richly illustrated with over 500 photos, drawings and charts to increase accessibility and aid learning. It is written by an expert who has spent his lifetime intimately engaged with these unique creatures.

Multi-award winner:
- Gold Medal Winner Apimondia World Beekeeping Award (2017)
- Winner of Australian Book Industry Award (2017)
- Winner of Whitley Award for Australasian Zoological Literature (2016)

Visit the Native Bee Book website for more details, stockists and sneak peaks

Empty Bee Hives

We sell a range of empty hive boxes: Honey OATH (Original Australian Trigona hive), Farm OATH, hardwood OATH, Mini OATH, Mini Honey OATH, Vertical Observation Hive and a premium Western Red Cedar honey OATH hive. We only sell hoop pine honey OATH hives stocked with bees, see product above.

All hive boxes are professionally made, built of 25 mm thick wood, nailed and glued, and painted (three coats). They are guaranteed to fit together precisely (important for sealing out natural enemies and climatic extremes), and to last for many years. The bottom of the mid section (where you split a hive) has built-in bars to prevent slumping after a split and to allow a clean split. The brood excluder is clear. The sections are held together with plastic strapping. The hives have short metal feet and a second hole for ventilation. Strapping is included in the price. This price does NOT include a metal roof which we recommend if you plan to keep the hive exposed to the elements.

You cannot buy native stingless bees separately to the box. Empty boxes are for those already with a colony who wish to duplicate or transfer. https://sugarbag.net/faq#bees-without-box

These products are available for collection from 193 Norman Avenue, Norman Park. For delivery, add about $25 for P&H.

Limit of 20kg per parcel - if unable to checkout, please separate your order into multiple purchases.

$180
Honey OATH Hive

This is our most common hive and the one we recommend for most purposes.

read more

This is our most common hive and the one we recommend for most purposes.

The honey OATH is suitable for splitting or pollination. Honey OATHs have a compartment on top called a honey super which allows you to remove honey with minimal disruption to the nest. We recommend honey OATHs even if you do not intend to extract honey, as they have better insulation on the top, an optional storage area and so are generally better homes for the bees. The brood excluder is clear - when transferring, splitting or educting into this empty honey OATH hive you may wish to tape over the gap at the back of the excluder to allow wonderful observation opportunities. When the box is looking full, remove the tape to allow the bees access into the honey super. Replace the honey super firmly and leave in place permanently for the bees to deposit extra food stores into.

Empty honey OATH hives come with 2 x permanent plastic straps + buckles, and 1 x adjustable luggage strap.

We recommend this box to divide any OATH hive which has the same footprint dimensions (280 x 200 mm). Some boxes use thinner or thicker wall material so the internal dimensions may differ, but this should not be a problem. Approximate internal volume: 8.5 Litres. 4.5kg empty.

The colour of the hive is Dulux P13H3 Cooled Cream.

Please note: Heavy Shipping orders can only be sent to a street address (not PO Box) - sorry for any inconvenience. If you are looking to purchase more than 4 honey OATH boxes you will need to place multiple orders as it exceeds courier weight limits of 20kg.

$150
Farm OATH hive

Farm OATH hives well insulated, durable, termite and weather proof, light weight and compact PVC, for a tough working life on farms.

read more

Our Farm OATH hives are designed for a tough working life on farms, so are well insulated, durable, termite and weather proof, light weight and compact. They are made of 24 mm thick foamed PVC sheet walls. Internal condensation is managed by a 50 mm hole drilled in the bottom of the box and covered it with a sheet of timber which absorbs moisture and allows it to evaporate off. Two section, no honey super. Volume 7 L. Weight 3.5 kg. Suitable for T. carbonaria, T. hockingsi, A. symei and A. australis species.

This is an empty box only, we do not sell this hive stocked with bees.

Metal roof and picket mount are not included in price but available separately.

$195
Hardwood OATH hive

Professionally built of a mix of local hardwood timber, 25 mm thick. Multipurpose OATH design hive box made of three sections.

read more

Professionally built rustic-style hive made of a mix of local hardwood timber, untreated and unpainted, 25 mm thick. Multipurpose OATH design (200x280mm) box made of three sections, for both propagation and honey extraction. Weigh 9 kg empty, double that of an equivalent pine box. Include split bars and clear plastic brood excluder. Metal roof not included but available separately.

$165
Mini OATH Hive

The mini OATH suits species with naturally smaller nests such as australis, clypearis, mellipes, etc.

read more

The mini OATH suits species with naturally smaller nests such as australis, clypearis, mellipes, etc...

Like the normal size OATHs, the Mini OATHs come in both a two section standard with observation window and a three section honey version, but are 200x200mm instead.

The shorter and flatter size reduces the volume. The internal volume of a two-section mini OATH and a three-section mini Honey OATH is 3 litres or 4 litres respectively, which is slightly less than half the internal volume of a normal hive.

Please note: Heavy Shipping orders can only be sent to a street address (not PO Box) - sorry for any inconvenience. Heavy parcels sent to NT or WA may incurr an additional postage charge to be invoiced separately.

$300
Flat and Vertical Observation Hives

Our new observation hives are now tested and working well, providing both great observation opportunities, and a good home for stingless bees (of both carbonaria and hockingsi). We have two variants - flat and vertical. Hives sold empty, needs to be stocked with bees.

read more

Our new observation hives are now tested and working well, providing both great observation opportunities, and a good home for stingless bees (of both carbonaria and hockingsi). We have two variants - vertical and flat.

*NEW* - Flat Observation hive: Get a birds eye view of your native stingless bee colony. The restricted height and reduced volume oblige the bees to build their structures right up against the walls. The FOH is made of two parts: outer box cover and inner box. The top of the inner box is made of 3 mm clear acrylic. These design features provide great opportunities for observation of nest structures and bee behaviour. All other components are made of plywood, 25 mm thick for excellent insulation. Hive measures 45 mm deep internally. Volume: 5.2 L.

Vertical Observation hive: The two parallel clear acrylic side walls give you a great view of all parts of the colony, including brood, food pots and the bee behaviour. The wooden cover provides darkness and protection while not observing. The space between the walls is only 40 mm wide. Volume: 5 L. External dimensions: c. 500 x 400 x 90 mm.

We are currently selling only empty hives, it’s your job to stock it with a colony of bees (or if you have a full hive yourself and are wanting help duplicating your colony into an observation hive, you can hire us to assist you. See our services page). These hives are not suitable to split from/with, or extract honey from. Only trialled in Brisbane, QLD - not suitable for NSW at this stage.

It is possible to stock solely via eduction from your full hive, but we have had best success transferring brood and food stores but then leaving connected temporarily via eduction to bolster the colony. More info on these processes in The Australian Native Bee Book, and see this YouTube video of our friend Dan stocking his.

$220
Western Red Cedar honey OATH hive

A premium hive made of Western Red Cedar. Lightweight and durable (though more expensive than pine), an excellent home for native stingless bees.

read more

A premium hive for Australian native stingless bees. Made of Western Red Cedar, 25 mm thick, this hive is a softwood so an excellent insulator though, unlike most softwoods, it is also very durable in exterior conditions. The end grain has been totally eliminated to reduce timber splitting. The joints are double-double-glued, and the box has a textured finish treated with boiled linseed oil.

This box has all the features of a classic honey OATH hive including split bars, a clear brood excluder, honey super and landing board.

ONLY AVAILABLE EMPTY - we do NOT have any Western Red Cedar honey OATH hives stocked with bees.

Hive Accessories

All accessories made to suit our hive boxes (OATH dimensions, 200x280 mm)

$20
Metal Roof

Just like a wooden house, a wooden hive exposed to the elements needs a protective roof.

read more

Just like a wooden house, a wooden hive exposed to the elements needs a protective roof. We sell an effective metal roof that extends over the front and back of the hive. It grips onto the hive by its own tension.

$250
Portable OATH stand

A one-of-a-kind hive stand! Add some character to your garden by placing your bees on this porable, adjustable hive stand. It currently stands 1.05m but can be raised or lowered slightly. Includes hive picket mount as shown. Fits OATH box dimensions only (200 x 280mm).

read more

* NOT SOLD OUT BUT ONLY ONE IS AVAILABLE, PICK UP ONLY - PLEASE EMAIL US TO PURCHASE *

A one-of-a-kind hive stand! Add some character to your garden by placing your bees on this porable, adjustable hive stand. It currently stands 1.05m but can be raised or lowered slightly. Includes hive picket mount as shown. Fits OATH box dimensions only (200 x 280mm).

Pick up only from Norman Park. Please email us at info@sugarbag.net to reserve and organise collection.

$80
Metal Stand

Our welded and galvanized units makes a durable hive stand for OATH hive boxes. Available in two sizes: 300mm and 600mm tall

read more

Our welded and galvanized units makes a durable hive stand for OATH hive boxes. Available in two sizes: 300mm and 600mm tall. Drive the stand into the ground with a mallet (600mm) or place on a flat surface (300mm). Place the hive on top. It stays snug there, supported by metal sides. These stands are designed for OATH hives of 200x280mm. Price is for metal stand only.

Available for delivery or collection. Go to Check Out to make your shipping selection.

$120
Picket hive mount

Unit for mounting an OATH hive on a steel picket. A universal mount is also available.

read more

This unit allows you to easily mount your OATH hive on top of a steel picket (Y / star picket). The mount drops onto the picket, no tools needed. Made from Duragal steel with Coldgal zinc protection to welded areas for long life.

PLEASE NOTE - OUR CURRENT STOCK IS BLACK. Price is for the mount only, you will need to source your own star picket.

These are suitable for OATH hives only (200x280mm) but we do have a flat universal mount available for hives of any size.

$120
Metal Hive Shelf

Metal shelf to mount your hive on a wall or post. Two orientations.

read more

Metal shelf to mount your OATH hive (200x280) on a wall or post. These metal units come in two variations, one for the hive to sit perpendicular to the wall and the other parallel (see photos). They are made from Duragal steel with Coldgal zinc protection to welded areas. Screws not included. For added stability, you can use a small screw to secure the hive to the shelf.

$50
Wooden Hive Shelf

Wooden shelf to mount your OATH hive on a wall or post.

read more

Wooden shelf to mount your OATH hive on a wall or post.

The painted plywood unit has a back plate and side braces. Thickness 25mm. The short side is attached to wall. For added stability, you can screw the hive to the shelf. Designed for OATH hives. Screws not included.

Available for delivery or collection. Go to Check Out to make your selection.


$120
Hive security cage

Use this sturdy galvanized cage to help keep your hive safer in positions where security is a concern

read more

Many schools, gardens and other public spaces wish to host a stingless bee hive, but risk of theft is a concern. Use a sturdy metal cage in positions where extra security is needed. Install directly onto a sturdy and flat surface like a wall, fence post, or tree on either the long or short side using 4-6 post screws. Insert the hive into the cage to obscure the screws - it will sit snugly inside the cage. The cage includes a door able to be padlocked (screws and padlocks not included. Slide the rod in to match the metal loops and padlock through to secure). You can attach a roof over the top of the cage to protect your hive (roof not included but available for purchase on the products page).

$10
Hive Tool

The American hive tool is ideal for separating hive sections and scrapping propolis.

read more

The American hive tool is ideal for separating hive sections and scrapping propolis.

$50
Bed of Nails

The tool, which resembles a miniature bed of nails is used to pierce the honey pots to extract honey.

read more

The tool, which resembles a miniature bed of nails is used to pierce the honey pots to extract honey.

$75
Honey extraction kit

All you need to extract honey including hive tool, bed of nails, collecting container, replacement buckles and straps.

read more

This kit is all you need to start extraction honey from your Honey OATH. It includes a hive tool, bed of nails, container for collecting the draining honey and new straps and buckles for securing the hive closed after opening.

$475
Hive communal shelter

This communal shelter holds 12 hives on two shelves protected by a sheet metal roof. it is sold in a flat un-assembled form. it is easily transported and assembled on location. The legs are 4 Y-pickets driven into the ground and the shelves and roof sections secured by tightening the fasteners, everything included.

read more

This communal shelter holds 12 hives on two shelves protected by a sheet metal roof. it is sold in a flat un-assembled form. it is easily transported and assembled on location. The legs are 4 Y-pickets driven into the ground and the shelves and roof sections secured by tightening the fasteners, everything included.

$20
Mini Em-lock

A strong and durable galvanized steel locking system, easy to open and close. Compatible with many hive setups, particularly metal stands where security or stability is an issue.

read more

A strong and durable galvanized steel locking system, easy to open and close. Compatible with many hive setups, particularly metal stands where security or stability is an issue.

$3
Closure

This hive entrance closure allows ventilation during periods of hive closure. Fits snugly into 13mm hole.

read more

This hive entrance closure allows ventilation during periods of hive closure. Fits snugly into 13mm hole.

Accompanied by a piece of mesh to insert into the rear ventilation hole.

If you are buying a hive stocked with bees, your hive will come with a closure (to keep the bees inside!)

$25
Native Stingless Bee signage

Ideal for public spaces, schools and centres to provide basic education and awareness of native stingless bees.

read more

Want to shout the praises of native stingless bees to the world? We have a variety of simple signage available. Ideal for public spaces, schools and centres to provide basic education and awareness of native stingless bees. Multiple sizes and orientations available

$10
Propolis

Propolis is the nest-building material of Australian native stingless bees. Indigenous Australian's collected it from nests and used it for all kinds of traditional purposes, including didgeridoo mouthpieces.

read more

We do not purposefully harvest propolis from hives but obtain it every now and again during transfers. Supply is irregular and opportunistic so we are sometimes out of stock. We do not know of anyone else selling this, but you could try Google or Facebook in a group like The Australian Native Bee Network. When we do have stock, the website will be updated to allow purchases.

Propolis from stingless bees is the authentic didgeridoo mouthpiece.

What is it?

Propolis is the nest-building material of Australian native stingless bees. Indigenous Australian's collected it from nests and used it for all kinds of traditional purposes, including didgeridoo mouthpieces.

How do you use it?

Don’t ask me; you’re the didgeridoo expert; I just collect the stuff! But here’s a tip: it softens with heat, so drop it in warm water, put it in the sun, or whatever, and then you should be able to work it easily into the shape you desire. Another tip: it hardens with age (but it never really sets and can melt on a very hot day so don’t leave it in your car in the sun on a hot day or your mouthpiece will transform itself to a horrible sticky mess on your carpet). But here’s the best tip of all, when handling it, wet your hands, it will make the job a lot easier.

If using in beekeeping (particularly to reduce the size of the entry hole of an empty box used to duplicate a hive), pinch off a small amount and roll into a sausage. Make a ring and attach to the front or the inside of the entry hole. Shape so that just one or two bees can get through at a time - this will help reduce pest access while the bees rebuild.

Where do we get it?

We harvest the propolis sustainably from native bees when transferring is necessary. The colony is not harmed. Only small amounts of propolis are produced, about 200g per hive per year.

To get technical

Propolis is a mixture of wax and resin. Wax is from glands on the bee’s body and is a yellow soft material. Resin is produced by plants and is dark sticky stuff that hardens with age. The bees collect resin from plants, take it back to the nest, mix it with wax and use it to make their nest.

Propolis Prices

Block of propolis (12 g, enough for one or two mouthpieces, or several propolis rings) AU$10.

Bulk purchase: $500 per kilogram.

For overseas customers, please contact us for a postage price.

LIMIT OF 5 PIECES PER CUSTOMER PER ORDER

3 pieces of less - untracked envelope. Please contact us prior to purchasing if you require tracking

Packaged in reused plastic to keep fresh. If not using immediately, store in a dry air-tight container.

Native bee honey
$35

Sugarbag is honey made by Australian native stingless bees. Normal honey is made by honey bees introduced from Europe. Both types of honey are a natural sweet substance originating from the nectar of flowers, which bees collect and transform. But sugarbag has its own special flavour. Try it drizzled over vanilla ice cream or other dessert. Only tiny amounts of sugarbag are produced, less than 1 kg per hive per year and so it is a special product, to be savoured and relished.

read more

Sold Out

Sorry but we are not producing sugarbag honey until further notice. We are focussing on producing more hives, both for sale and to build up numbers. While we are doing this, we cannot produce honey. It has been poor conditions for bee growth the last few years with all the wet La Nina weather so hives do not have much honey to spare.

Sugarbag is honey made by Australian native stingless bees. Normal honey is made by honey bees introduced from Europe. Both types of honey are a natural sweet substance originating from the nectar of flowers, which bees collect and transform. But sugarbag has its own special flavour. Try it drizzled over vanilla ice cream or other dessert. Only tiny amounts of sugarbag are produced, less than 1 kg per hive per year and so it is a special product, to be savoured and relished.

Sugarbag was, and continues to be, a highly prized food for Indigenous Australians who hunted it from wild nests; it’s real bush tucker. Read an extract from The Native Bee Book about indigenous peoples and stingless bees.

Our hive designs that allow us to extract honey sustainably, without harming the colony. Extracting honey from a hive with a dedicated honey section is simple: we just pry, pierce, drain and strain. First, we remove the honey section by loosening it with a hive tool or other lever and prying it open. Then we invert the honey section so that the open side faces up, and pierce the honey pots (after waiting for the bees to fly out). We use a tool that resembles a miniature bed of nails to do this. Next we turn the honey section over onto a plastic container to catch the tide of liquid gold that issues forth. We allow the honey to drain for at least five minutes. Our final step is to strain the honey again using a finer gauze to filter out any impurities. That's it, no more processing is involved.

Be sure to store your liquid gold in the fridge.