About
Mann Lake is America's leading manufacturer and supplier of beekeeping equipment and supplies, trusted by both beginner hobbyists and large-scale commercial beekeepers. Their extensive catalog covers every aspect of beekeeping, from hive construction and components — including frames, foundation, hive bodies, supers, and covers — to live honey bees available in multiple breeds such as Italian, Carniolan, Buckfast, Russian, and Hybrid varieties. Shoppers can find complete beginner hive kits (assembled or unassembled), queen rearing equipment, grafting tools, mating nucs, and live queen bees. Mann Lake's protective gear line includes bee suits, jackets, gloves, helmets, veils, and specialized kids' gear. Their feeding and medication section covers pollen substitutes, syrup feeders, and treatments for common threats like Varroa mites, small hive beetles, foulbrood, and wax moths. For honey production, Mann Lake supplies uncapping tools, honey extractors scaled for 1 to 50+ hives, bottling equipment, containers, labels, and pumps. Beyond beekeeping, the company also offers poultry and farm supplies including incubators, coops, egg handling equipment, and livestock feeders. Educational books, beeswax craft kits, candle and soap making supplies, and gift cards round out the catalog. Mann Lake provides free shipping on most orders over $150 and has a store locator, mobile app, and a dedicated customer support line — making it a one-stop shop for the beekeeping community.
Key Features
- Complete Hive Kits & Components: Offers assembled and unassembled hive kits, hive bodies, supers, frames, foundation, covers, and bottom boards for all experience levels.
- Live Honey Bees & Queens: Ships live package bees, queen bees, and nucs in multiple breeds including Italian, Carniolan, Buckfast, Russian, and Hybrid varieties.
- Feeding & Pest Management: Stocks a full range of feeders, pollen substitutes, and treatments for Varroa mites, small hive beetles, foulbrood, wax moths, and nosema.
- Honey Extraction & Bottling: Provides extractors, uncapping tools, tanks, bottling equipment, containers, labels, and pumps scaled for hobby to commercial operations.
- Protective Gear & Tools: Carries bee suits, jackets, gloves, helmets, veils, hive tools, smokers, and smoker fuel for safe and efficient hive management.
Use Cases
- A hobbyist beekeeper purchasing their first complete hive kit, protective gear, and beginner tools to start a backyard apiary.
- A commercial beekeeper ordering bulk frames, foundation, extractors, and medications to maintain and scale a large operation.
- A small farm sourcing live queen bees or package bees to establish new hives or replace failing colonies each spring.
- A beekeeper managing Varroa mite or small hive beetle infestations using Mann Lake's targeted treatment and medication products.
- A craft enthusiast buying beeswax, candle-making kits, soap supplies, and pollen products from Mann Lake's education and crafts section.
Pros
- One-Stop Beekeeping Shop: Covers every phase of beekeeping from starter kits to advanced extraction, plus live bees, medications, and craft supplies all in one place.
- Trusted by Professionals: Recognized as the #1 choice among professional beekeepers, indicating strong product quality and reliability.
- Free Shipping Threshold: Free shipping on most orders over $150 makes bulk purchasing cost-effective for serious beekeepers.
- Multi-Channel Support: Offers phone support, live chat, a store locator, a mobile app, and active social media channels for customer assistance.
Cons
- No AI or Digital Tools: Mann Lake is a traditional e-commerce supplier with no AI-powered features, data analytics, or digital beekeeping management tools.
- Live Bee Availability Is Regional: Live package bees, queens, and nucs are only available for pickup at select locations in certain states, limiting access for some customers.
- Pricing Not Publicly Listed for All Items: Some specialty or bulk items may require direct contact for pricing, which can slow down purchasing decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of honey bees does Mann Lake sell?
Mann Lake sells live package bees, queen bees, and nucs in five breeds: Italian, Carniolan, Buckfast, Russian, and Hybrid honey bees.
Does Mann Lake offer beginner beekeeping kits?
Yes, Mann Lake offers complete beginner hive kits in both assembled and unassembled versions, along with educational books and tools to help new beekeepers get started.
Where can I pick up live bees from Mann Lake?
Live bee pickup locations are available in California, Florida, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, and Texas.
Does Mann Lake have a mobile app?
Yes, Mann Lake offers a mobile app available for download on iOS and Android devices for convenient shopping and account management.
What is the free shipping threshold at Mann Lake?
Mann Lake offers free shipping on most orders of $150 or more within eligible regions.
