About
Mountain Sweet Honey is a leading e-commerce destination for beekeepers of all experience levels, offering a comprehensive catalog of beekeeping supplies and live bees. Founded in 2011 and holding an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars from over 4,750 Google reviews, the company has built a reputation for quality, reliability, and exceptional customer service. Their product range covers everything a beekeeper needs: 8-frame and 10-frame hive bodies made in the USA, frames and foundation, beekeeping accessories (hive tools, smokers), protective clothing from XX-Small to 7XL, honey extraction supplies (extractors, hot knives, storage tanks), bee health supplements, and gifts and books. They also sell live package bees and nucleus colonies (nucs) from Georgia Department of Agriculture-licensed apiaries managed using natural organic methods. Mountain Sweet Honey differentiates itself through its regional logistics network, enabling fast and reliable live bee shipping. Orders over $150 qualify for free shipping (with some exclusions). The company guarantees same-day dispatch for orders placed before noon EST. Beyond products, Mountain Sweet Honey is committed to education, offering beekeeper training programs such as their highly praised 'Bee Boot Camp' and ongoing educational content via BUZZ TV. Whether you're a first-time hobbyist or a seasoned commercial beekeeper, Mountain Sweet Honey provides the tools, bees, and knowledge to help you succeed.
Key Features
- Live Bee Shipping: Ships package bees and nucs coast-to-coast using regional logistics centers for speed and reliability, with all shipments fully insured.
- Comprehensive Product Catalog: Offers hive bodies (8-frame and 10-frame), frames, foundation, accessories, protective clothing (XX-Small to 7XL), honey supplies, and bee health products.
- USA-Made Hive Bodies: Sells American-made 8-frame and 10-frame bee hives, supporting domestic manufacturing and quality craftsmanship.
- Beekeeper Education & Training: Provides in-person Bee Boot Camp training events and online BUZZ TV content to help beekeepers at every skill level learn and improve.
- Fast Order Fulfillment: Guarantees shipment within 1 business day for orders placed by noon EST, with free shipping on qualifying orders over $150.
Use Cases
- A first-time hobbyist purchasing a complete starter hive kit along with live package bees to begin their first beekeeping season.
- An experienced beekeeper restocking hive bodies, frames, and foundation ahead of spring expansion.
- A small honey producer sourcing extractors, storage tanks, and bottling equipment to process and sell honey locally.
- A beginner beekeeper enrolling in Bee Boot Camp to gain hands-on training and avoid common first-year mistakes.
- A beekeeper replacing protective gear or purchasing gifts and books related to beekeeping for themselves or a fellow enthusiast.
Pros
- Largest East Coast & Midwest Bee Shipper: Their optimized logistics network ensures live bees arrive quickly and safely, with all shipments insured for peace of mind.
- Excellent Customer Reputation: Holds a 4.8-star average from over 4,750 Google reviews, reflecting consistently high product quality and customer service.
- One-Stop Shop: Stocks virtually everything a beekeeper needs — from live bees and hive equipment to protective gear, honey extraction tools, and educational resources.
- Education & Community Focus: Bee Boot Camp events and BUZZ TV content add real educational value beyond just selling products, supporting beekeeper success long-term.
Cons
- Shipping Exclusions on Free Shipping: Live bee packages, nucs, queens, assembled hives, extractors, and bulk frame/foundation orders are excluded from the free shipping promotion.
- Primarily East Coast & Midwest Focused: While they ship coast-to-coast, their logistics network and bee sourcing are optimized for the East Coast and Midwest, which may affect delivery times for West Coast customers.
- Seasonal Bee Availability: Live bees and nucs are subject to seasonal availability and pre-order windows, which may not suit beekeepers who need bees on short notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mountain Sweet Honey ship live bees?
Yes. Mountain Sweet Honey ships package bees and nucleus colonies (nucs) using regional logistics centers to maximize speed and safety. All bee shipments are fully insured.
What is the free shipping threshold?
Orders over $150 qualify for free shipping. Exclusions include live bee packages, nucs, queens, pre-assembled hives, extractors, holding tanks, and case quantities of frames and foundation.
How quickly will my order ship?
Mountain Sweet Honey guarantees that qualifying orders placed before noon EST will leave their facility within 1 business day.
Are the bees raised organically?
Their apiaries are licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and their hives are managed using natural organic methods.
Do they offer beekeeping training?
Yes. Mountain Sweet Honey offers in-person Bee Boot Camp training events and educational content through BUZZ TV, catering to both beginner and experienced beekeepers.
