Nucs Free Shipping, Queens & Live Packages of Honeybees Online for Sale in the USA
Beekeeping in the United States continues to grow in popularity—both among hobbyists and commercial producers. Whether you're starting your first hive or expanding an existing apiary, finding healthy honey bee stock online is essential for a successful season. One of the most trusted sources for purchasing live bees online is Lappe’s Bee Supply, a long-established U.S. supplier offering nucs, mated queen bees, and package bees with convenient nationwide options.
What Are Nucs, Queens & Packages?
Before exploring where to buy bees online, it’s important to understand the different types available:
Mated Queen Bees – Individually shipped live queens, ready to be introduced into your hive to improve genetics, replace failing queens, or start new colonies. Orders of three or more queens from Lappe’s come with free UPS next-day shipping.
Nucleus Colonies (Nucs) – These are mini colonies that include a mated, laying queen, brood at various stages, honey/pollen stores, and worker bees on drawn comb. Nucs give your hive a fast head start on growth and honey production.
Package Bees – A traditional way for new beekeepers to start, a package contains about 3 pounds of worker bees (roughly 10,000 bees) along with a caged queen. These packages help bees build fresh comb and establish a colony in your hive.
Free Shipping & Buying Live Bees Online in the USA
Lappe’s Bee Supply specializes in making the process of ordering live honey bees online as easy and reliable as possible:
They offer free nationwide shipping on queen bee orders (typically when you purchase three or more), ensuring your queens arrive alive and ready to work.
Packages and queen shipments often use UPS Next Day Air to maximize live arrival success.
While package bees and queens can be shipped to most U.S. states, nucs (with brood and comb) are usually available for local pickup at read more designated locations to protect their health and vitality.
Variety of Bee Breeds to Choose From
One of the advantages of buying live bees online from a supplier like Lappe’s is the range of honey bee breeds available. Each type offers unique characteristics to suit different climates, management styles, and beekeeping goals:
Italian Hybrid Bees – Gentle and productive, perfect for beginners.
Carniolan Bees – Calm, cold-hardy bees with strong spring buildup.
Buckfast Hybrids – Excellent mite resistance and strong honey production.
Russian Hybrids – Naturally adapted to resist varroa mites.
Cordovan Hybrid Bees – Distinctive gold-colored bees that are easy to spot in frames.
When to Order Bees
Beekeepers are encouraged to place orders early—as early as September through January—to secure their preferred breeds and pickup dates. Waiting until spring can result in popular options selling out quickly, especially for nucs and certain package bee varieties.
Tips for Beekeepers Buying Online
Order early: Bee supplies and live bees move fast each season.
Know your goal: Nucs give a faster start and higher first-year success, while packages are more budget-friendly.
Prepare equipment: Have your hive and tools ready before your bees arrive