When you're starting a beekeeping venture, one of the first things you need to figure out is where you're going to get your bees from. There are heaps of options available when it comes to buying honey bees, so taking the time to understand them is crucial to getting off on the right foot. Depending on your needs, your search for live bees can take you down a few different paths—packages of bees, bee nucs, and even just a queen honey bee on her own. Each option's got its advantages, so you need to choose the one that best fits with your experience level and the kind of beekeeping you want to do.
What Comes In A Package Of Bees?
For most people buying bees for the first time, the most obvious approach is to go with a package of honey bees. These packages usually come with a fully mated queen and enough worker bees to get a new hive up and running. They're a great option for beginners, as they give you a manageable number of bees to start with.
A typical package of bees includes about 3 pounds of worker bees—roughly 10,000 buzzing little helpers—all contained in a special ventilated box. The queen comes separately inside the package, securely housed in her own small cage. This setup allows the worker bees to get used to her scent during transit, making for a smoother introduction to your hive once you install the package. By knowing exactly what to expect in your first package, you can confidently set up your new colony and be ready for your first season of beekeeping!
What Other Options Do You Have For Bees?
Lappe's Bee Supply and Honey Farm has got packages of bees on sale, and offers different options for breeds, free shipping or pick up directly from our local central Iowa agricultural store. Buy them directly from our online direct-to-consumer beekeepers shop. If you're after a slightly different option, bee nucs are another popular way to get bees. These are 5 frame colonies that come with frames of bees, brood and honey stores - they're like a starter kit for your beekeeping operation. Because they're more established than a package, they can actually get you up and running a lot quicker. If you want to start with a colony that's already got some momentum behind it, a nuc might be a good bet to get them to honey producers stage by the time the honey flow starts. And with the rise of online ordering, it's easier than ever to order a nuc online from us. If you're after a specific type of honey bee, like a queen, we offer multiple breeds of bees, shipped to anywhere across the United States during the summer months. These queens can be used to replace one that's gone off in your existing hive, or to start a whole new colony.
Support And Guidance For Beginner Beekeepers
Starting out with beekeeping can be a pretty daunting experience, but fortunately you don't have to go through it by yourself. Whether you're about to start up your very first hive or looking to get a bit more confidence with some good old fashioned advice from people who know their stuff, you'll be pleased to know there's a wealth of knowledge out there just waiting to be tapped.
Lappe's Bee Supply is a reputable supplier, and we can give you a lot of advice on any beekeeping subject. You'll find loads of helpful materials on our website to guide you through your first year - from step-by-step instruction books to informational articles - all designed to help you get the job done. And don't be shy about asking for help - a lot of the staff at Lappe's are just as passionate about beekeeping as you are and have all sorts of tips and tricks to share from their own experiences.
If you're looking for a bit of camaraderie and a supportive ear, local beekeeping clubs are a great place to get involved. You can find listings on our website of bee clubs organized by state - these groups have regular meetings, online forums to troubleshoot problems and often have some good contacts in the area who are happy to lend a hand and share their experiences.
Ready to give it a go? With a bit of curiosity and the right resources, you'll have everything you need to take the leap and start a beekeeping adventure in your own backyard.
Choosing The Right Honey Bee Breed For Your Apiary
When it comes to picking bees for your hive, not all honey bee breeds are created equal. Each breed brings its own strengths—and a few quirks—to the table, so understanding their differences will help you match them to your particular style of beekeeping. Here’s a quick rundown to help you find the best fit:
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--> Italian Bees: The classic crowd favorite for good reason. Italians are gentle, easy for beginners to handle, and prolific honey producers. They have a solid reputation for steady growth and adaptability, which makes them an excellent choice whether you’re just starting out or ramping up for commercial beekeeping. They do have a tendency to keep rearing brood into late summer, which means you’ll want to keep an eye on food stores as winter rolls around.
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--> Carniolan Bees: Looking for bees with a knack for dealing with variable weather? Carniolans are known for their quick spring buildup and impressive ability to handle cooler climates. They’re very gentle—often a top choice for urban or backyard hives—and they manage their stores conservatively, giving them an edge when nectar slows down.
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--> Russian Bees: Prefer to let your bees handle varroa mites themselves? Russian bees are bred with natural mite resistance in mind. They’re suitable for beekeepers aiming for a more hands-off approach to pest management. Note that Russians may be more defensive than Italians or Carniolans, so a bit more experience can go a long way.
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--> Saskatraz Bees: Relatively new on the scene, Saskatraz bees are gaining popularity for their rapid population growth and solid honey yields. These bees are selected for overwintering ability, mite resistance, and gentle behavior—making them a versatile pick for hobbyists and pros alike.
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--> Hybrid Bees: Sometimes, beekeepers opt for hybrids to blend desirable traits such as gentle temperament, high productivity, and disease resistance. If your beekeeping goals include finding that sweet spot between honey yield and low-maintenance management, a hybrid might be the answer.
The best breed for your apiary depends on your local conditions, experience, and goals—whether you’re aiming to maximize honey harvests, build resilient colonies, or simply enjoy peaceful afternoons working with gentle bees. If you’re unsure, start with a breed known for gentle behavior and adaptability, then experiment as your skills and hive numbers grow. Please note: A high Varroa resistance in any breed of bee does not replace the need to treat your colonies for Varroa mites!
Whether you're after packages of bees or something a bit more specialized, Lappe's Bee Supplies company covers your every beekeeping need! As you start out on your beekeeping journey, making sure to buy from a reputable supplier like Lappe's Bee Supply is a good idea. Whether you're interested in package bees, nucs, or just finding bees to buy, getting the health and quality of your bees right is essential for having a successful time with your bees.
How Are Bees Shipped To Ensure Their Health And Safety?
When it comes time to transport your bees, their comfort and safety are top priorities. Honey bees are shipped in sturdy, well-ventilated containers that allow plenty of fresh air to flow, keeping them calm and protected throughout their journey. Inside each package, the bees have access to a can of sugar syrup—think of it as room service for the road—so they stay nourished until they reach their new home.
These specially designed containers keep your colony snug but not crowded, and provide just the right amount of light to help reduce stress. Whether you're ordering a starter package or a queen, rest assured your bees are traveling in first-class style—arriving healthy and ready to get straight to work in your hive.
Picking Up And Transporting Your Package Bees
Once you’ve placed an order for your package bees, we’ll get in touch when your bees are ready for pickup. We normally contact you by email, so please be sure to keep an eye on your inbox for your confirmation email. We’ll give you a heads up about a week in advance, and if there’s any change to our original timeline, you’ll be the first to know. When you arrive to pick up your bees, you’ll receive a special ventilated container—this isn’t just any old box, but one designed to keep your bees comfortable, fed, and safe during their journey home. Rest assured, the bees are well cared for from the start, with a feeder can of sugar syrup inside so the workers included in the package can continue to care for the queen through the screen of her queen cage.
Tips for Safe Bee Transport: Picking up your bees is an exciting step, but you'll want to make sure you get them home happy and healthy. Whether you're taking bees in packages or a nuc, the key is to remember—they're living, breathing creatures who need a bit of TLC during the ride.
- --> Keep the bee package upright and out of direct sunlight—it’s best to avoid the trunk or any tight, enclosed spaces.
- -->A cool, well-ventilated spot inside your vehicle is ideal. Some beekeepers want to put the bees in the back of a pickup truck. While this could work in cooler temperatures as long as the package is out of direct sunlight, we do not recommend doing this in warmer temperatures as bees can get easily overheated.
- --> Avoid covering them with blankets or placing them inside a sealed box; good airflow is the golden rule when transporting bees.
- --> Handle With Care: Try to drive steadily and avoid sharp turns or rough roads that might jostle them around. A smooth ride means less stress for the bees.
If you’ve never done this before and have questions, our crew at Lappe's Bee Supply will be on hand during pick-up days to answer questions and set you up for a successful journey home.. We’ll make sure you—and your new bees—get started on the right foot.
How Soon Should You Install Package Bees?
Once your package bees arrive, you'll want to get them set up in their new hive as quickly as possible—ideally on the same day, or at least within 24 hours for the healthiest start. If outdoor temps happen to be on the chilly side (below 40° F), hold off until things warm up to avoid stressing your new colony. Prompt installation helps your bees settle in, reduces losses, and gets your beekeeping adventure off on the right foot.
Reporting Issues With Your Bees
If you run into any concerns or notice something not quite right with the bees you’ve received — whether it’s a health issue, queen trouble, or something else — don’t worry, we’re here to help. The best first step is to contact us as soon as possible. Most of the bees we ship have time limit criteria associated with reporting any issues. Send us an email or give us a call with your order details, a description of the issue, and any photos if you have them (a quick smartphone snap works wonders!).
Providing plenty of details helps us resolve the situation swiftly, whether that’s sending a replacement queen, providing suggestions, or offering our best beekeeping advice. At Lappe’s Bee Supply, your success as a beekeeper is our priority, and we want your experience—right from the first arrival of bees—to be a sweet one!
We offer free shipping on a lot of our honey bees for sale, shipped to the following United States USA - Alabama AL | Arkansas AR | Arizona AZ | Alaska AK | California CA | Colorado CO | Connecticut CT | Delaware DE | Florida FL | Georgia GA | Hawaii HI | Idaho ID | Illinois IL | Indiana IN | Iowa IA | Kansas KS | Kentucky KY | Louisiana LA | Maine ME | Maryland MD | Massachusetts MA | Michigan MI | Minnesota MN | Mississippi MS | Missouri MO | Montana MT | Nebraska NE | Nevada NV | New Hampshire NH | New Jersey NJ | New Mexico NM | New York NY | North Carolina NC | North Dakota ND | Ohio OH | Oklahoma OK | Oregon OR | Pennsylvania PA | Rhode Island RI | South Carolina SC | South Dakota SD | Tennessee TN | Texas TX | Utah UT | Vermont VT | Virginia VA | Washington WA | West Virginia WV | Wisconsin WI | Wyoming WY | Central Iowa United States USA Counties | Webster | Calhoun | Hamilton | Hardin | Grundy | Carroll | Greene | Boone | Story | Marshall | Tama | Audubon | Guthrie | Dallas | Polk | Jasper | Poweshiek | Cass | Adair | Madison | Warren | Marion | Mahaska | Adams | Union | Clarke | Lucas | Monroe | Floyd | Monona | Adams | Franklin | Allamakee | Fremont | Montgomery | Appanoose | Muscatine | O'Brien | Benton | Osceola | Black Hawk | Hamilton | Page | Hancock | Palo Alto | Bremer | Plymouth | Buchanan | Harrison | Pocahontas | Buena Vista | Henry | Butler | Howard | Pottawattamie | Humboldt | Ida | Ringgold | Iowa | Sac | Cedar | Jackson | Scott | Cerro Gordo | Shelby | Cherokee | Jefferson | Sioux | Chickasaw | Johnson | Story | Jones | Clay | Keokuk | Taylor | Clayton | Kossuth | Clinton | Lee | Van Buren | Crawford | Linn | Wapello | Louisa | Davis | Washington | Decatur | Lyon | Wayne | Delaware | Des Moines | Winnebago | Dickinson | Winneshiek | Dubuque | Marshall | Woodbury | Emmet | Mills | Worth | Fayette | Mitchell | Wright
Please note: some package bees available for pick up only; all nucs are available for pick up only, they can not be shipped; free shipping applies to queen honey bees for sale on orders of 3 or more queens
