About
Lappe's Bee Supply is one of the USA's most comprehensive online beekeeping stores, headquartered in East Peru, IA (Madison County). The company offers an extensive catalog covering every stage of beekeeping — from getting started to scaling up honey production. Their live bee offerings include Italian and Carniolan package bees, mated queens, and 5-frame nucleus colonies (nucs) available for shipment, with dates filling quickly each season. Hive options span 5-, 8-, and 10-frame Langstroth configurations, available in both standard and wax-dipped versions for enhanced durability and longevity. Beekeepers can also find protective clothing and bee suits, smokers, hive tools, winter feeding supplies, medications, pest control products, and queen rearing equipment. For honey producers, Lappe's stocks full honey extracting and bottling lines including Maxant processing equipment, uncapping tools, honey containers in plastic and glass, filters, pails, and honey heaters. DIY enthusiasts will find candle making, lip balm, soap, creamed honey, and mead-making supplies. Brands carried include Dadant & Sons, Pierco, NOD Global, Maxant, and Honey B Healthy. A Colony Cash Rewards Program, weekly sales, coupons, and a free educational hub with how-to videos, a beekeeping blog, a glossary, and club listings by state make Lappe's a trusted one-stop resource for US beekeepers.
Key Features
- Live Bees & Queens: Order Italian and Carniolan package bees, mated queens, and 5-frame nucleus colonies shipped directly to your door across the USA.
- Complete Hive Systems: Shop 5-, 8-, and 10-frame Langstroth hives in standard and wax-dipped versions for maximum durability and colony protection.
- Honey Harvesting Equipment: Professional-grade Maxant extractors, uncapping tools, honey containers (plastic & glass), filters, and honey heaters for efficient harvest operations.
- Beginner Kits & Free Education: Starter kits, how-to videos, a beekeeping blog, glossary, and state-by-state club listings help new beekeepers get up and running confidently.
- DIY & Craft Supplies: Beeswax candle making, lip balm, soap, creamed honey, and mead-making supplies support hobbyists and small producers creating value-added products.
Use Cases
- A new beekeeper purchasing a complete beginner starter kit including a Langstroth hive, protective suit, smoker, hive tools, and a package of bees to launch their first colony.
- An experienced beekeeper ordering seasonal queens, replacement hive components, mite treatments, and winter feeding supplies to maintain and expand an existing apiary.
- A small-scale honey producer setting up a honey extraction operation using Maxant extractors, uncapping tools, pails, and glass or plastic containers for retail bottling.
- A DIY hobbyist sourcing beeswax, candle molds, lip balm kits, or mead-making supplies to create handcrafted value-added products from their hive.
- A beekeeper preparing colonies for winter by stocking up on sugar syrup feeders, pollen patties, pest control treatments, and ventilation accessories from Lappe's seasonal winter supply section.
Pros
- Wide Product Selection: Covers every aspect of beekeeping — live bees, hives, tools, medications, honey processing, and DIY crafts — under one roof.
- Free Shipping on Large Orders: Most US orders over $100 qualify for free shipping, making bulk purchases significantly more cost-effective.
- Strong Educational Resources: Free blog, how-to videos, a full beekeeping glossary, and a swarm collector listing provide genuine value to beekeepers at every skill level.
- Rewards & Savings Programs: Colony Cash Rewards Program combined with weekly sales and promo codes helps returning customers save money over time.
Cons
- US-Only Shipping: Products and live bees are shipped within the USA only, making the store inaccessible to international customers.
- Seasonal Live Bee Availability: Package bees, nucs, and queens are seasonal, and shipping dates fill up quickly — early ordering is essential to secure stock.
- No Digital or AI-Powered Tools: The store is a traditional ecommerce experience without AI-driven recommendations, hive tracking, or colony management tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lappe's Bee Supply ship live bees?
Yes. Lappe's ships Italian and Carniolan package bees, mated queens, and 5-frame nucleus colonies (nucs) across the USA. Shipping dates fill quickly each season, so early ordering is strongly recommended.
Is free shipping available?
Free USA shipping is offered on most orders over $100. Certain items or live bee shipments may have different shipping terms — check the product page for details.
What hive sizes and styles does Lappe's carry?
Lappe's offers Langstroth hives in 5-frame, 8-frame, and 10-frame configurations. Both standard and wax-dipped versions are available; wax-dipped components offer superior weather resistance and longevity.
Does Lappe's have resources for beginner beekeepers?
Yes. They offer complete beginner beekeeping kits, a beekeeping learning center, how-to video library, a full A–Z glossary, beekeeping club listings by state, and a regularly updated beekeeping blog.
What brands does Lappe's Bee Supply carry?
Lappe's carries trusted brands including Dadant & Sons, Pierco, NOD Global, Maxant, Bee Smart, Hive Alive, and Honey B Healthy, alongside their own Lappe's branded products.
