Lappe’s Bee Supply and Honey Farm LLC Reviews: Beekeeping has exploded in popularity across the United States over the past decade, and with that growth, suppliers like Lappe’s Bee Supply and Honey Farm LLC have become major names in the industry. Located in East Peru, Iowa, Lappe’s has built a massive reputation among hobbyist beekeepers, sideline operators, and commercial apiaries alike.

In 2026, the company stands out for one reason above all others: volume of reviews. With 3,881 reviews averaging 4.9 stars on Birdeye, Lappe’s appears to be one of America’s highest-rated bee supply businesses. Yet at the same time, platforms like Yelp and MapQuest paint a more complicated picture with lower ratings and customer complaints involving shipping delays, dead queens, and refund frustrations.

That contrast leaves many beekeepers asking the same question:

Is Lappe’s Bee Supply actually worth buying from in 2026?

This complete guide breaks down everything — products, reviews, shipping quality, customer complaints, queen bee genetics, honey quality, and real beekeeper experiences — so you can decide whether Lappe’s Bee Supply and Honey Farm LLC is the right supplier for your apiary.

What Is Lappe’s Bee Supply and Honey Farm LLC? Company Overview 2026

Lappe’s Bee Supply and Honey Farm LLC is a major American beekeeping supplier specializing in:

• Live bees
• Queen honey bees
• Beehives
• Hive equipment
• Honey products
• Pollen supplements
• Wax-dipped woodenware

The company markets itself as a premier supplier capable of shipping bees and equipment across all 50 United States.

Core Business Details

Their catalog includes multiple honey bee strains such as:

• Italian Bees
• Carniolan Bees
• Buckfast Bees
• Cordovan Queens
• Russian Hybrid Bees

They also manufacture and sell:

• Wax-dipped hives
• Frames and foundations
• Pollen patties
• Honey containers
• Raw Iowa honey

One reason Lappe’s became so popular is its combination of live bee genetics and commercial-grade equipment in one place.

Lappe’s Bee Supply Location, Hours & Iowa Presence

Lappe’s operates from East Peru, Iowa, a small community near Des Moines.

For Midwest beekeepers, the location offers a major advantage because local pickup options reduce the risks associated with shipping live bees.

Store Hours in 2026

Different listings online show slightly conflicting schedules, which is why many customers recommend calling ahead before visiting.

Most Commonly Reported Hours

Important Tip

Always confirm hours by phone at:

(641) 728-4361

This matters especially during spring bee season when pickup schedules change rapidly.

Why the Iowa Location Matters

Iowa sits in a strong agricultural corridor, making it ideal for:

• Queen breeding
• Honey production
• Pollinator farming
• Midwest bee distribution

Lappe’s geographic location allows relatively efficient shipping throughout much of the continental United States.

Lappe’s Bee Supply Reviews 2026: Why Ratings Are So Polarized

One of the most fascinating things about Lappe’s Bee Supply is the dramatic difference between review platforms.

Birdeye Ratings

Lappe’s currently shows:

4.9 stars from 3,881 reviews

That’s an exceptionally high rating for any agricultural supplier.

Customers frequently praise:

• Product quality
• Fast shipping
• Healthy queens
• Wax-dipped hive quality
• Affordable prices

Yelp & MapQuest Ratings

Other platforms show significantly lower scores.

The lower ratings typically focus on:

• Communication problems
• Refund disputes
• Delayed queen shipments
• Dead-on-arrival queens

Why the Difference Exists

The discrepancy likely happens because:

Birdeye Reviews

Mostly pull from:

• Product page feedback
• Purchase confirmations
• Satisfied customers

Yelp Reviews

More often capture:

• Customer service conflicts
• Shipping complaints
• Escalated disputes

This creates two very different pictures of the company depending on where you look.

Positive Reviews: What Customers Love About Lappe’s Bee Supply

Thousands of beekeepers report excellent experiences with Lappe’s products.

Top Positive Themes

1. Fast Shipping

Many customers praise rapid delivery times.

One review stated:

“Ordered on a Sunday afternoon and received it by Wednesday.”

Fast delivery is especially important for:

• Spring hive setup
• Nectar flow preparation
• Emergency equipment replacement

2. High-Quality Beehives

The company’s 10-frame painted premium beehives receive strong praise.

Customer Dexter M. Murphy wrote:

“Fast shipping. Top quality. Wish I would have known about Lappe’s earlier.”

The wax-dipped woodenware is particularly respected among experienced beekeepers because it improves durability against weather.

3. Strong Queen Genetics

Lappe’s queen bees are among their most popular products.

Russian Queen Honey Bees

Customers report:

• Excellent overwintering
• Strong laying patterns
• Good temperament
• Honey production

One reviewer called them:

“Fantastic queen line!”

4. Triple Waxed Frames

Their wooden frames are another standout product.

Luke Galardi wrote:

“Only frames and foundation I will buy any longer.”

Beekeepers appreciate how quickly bees draw out the wax foundation.

5. Honest Long-Term Customer Relationships

Some buyers report using Lappe’s for years without issues.

Tammi B. stated:

“Very honest people and they have good quality products and bees.”

This long-term customer loyalty explains much of the company’s extremely high review count.

Negative Reviews & Complaints: Problems Buyers Report in 2026

Despite thousands of positive reviews, serious complaints also appear repeatedly.

Most Common Complaints

1. Dead Queens on Arrival

Shipping live queens is inherently risky.

Some customers report queens arriving:

• Dead
• Weak
• Delayed in transit

One reviewer claimed:

“One queen died in the cage after remaining in transit over a week.”

2. Slow Refunds

Refund frustrations appear frequently in negative reviews.

Chris M. reported:

“Took them two weeks to agree to send a refund.”

Others complained about:

• Delayed responses
• Ignored emails
• Refund processing delays

3. Shipping Date Disputes

Several customers claim promised overnight shipping did not happen.

Paul D. wrote:

“They said they shipped that day… and they didn’t.”

For beekeepers operating within narrow seasonal windows, shipping delays can create major colony problems.

Important Context

Some negative reviewers later updated their comments after receiving refunds.

One customer added:

“I received a refund and no longer have anything negative to say.”

That suggests some disputes eventually get resolved, though not always quickly.

Best-Selling Products at Lappe’s Bee Supply in 2026

Lappe’s product catalog is extensive, but several items dominate beekeeper discussions.

1. Live Queen Bees

Popular Queen Types

Their queens are often marketed as:

• Naturally mated
• Laying-tested
• Hygienically bred

2. Wax-Dipped Beehives

These hives are considered premium equipment because wax dipping:

• Extends lifespan
• Protects against moisture
• Reduces maintenance

Commercial beekeepers especially appreciate this feature.

3. AP23 Pollen Patties

These pollen supplements receive consistently strong reviews.

One beekeeper wrote:

“Bees love them.”

Pollen patties help colonies:

• Build brood faster
• Recover from winter
• Strengthen spring populations

4. Raw Iowa Honey

Though less famous than the bee equipment, the honey receives excellent reviews.

Comments include:

• “Best tasting honey I’ve yet had.”
• “Excellent honey.”

The honey products appear to maintain a strong reputation overall.

Lappe’s Bee Supply vs Competitors

Compared to many bee suppliers, Lappe’s offers several major advantages.

Strengths

Huge Bee Variety

Few suppliers offer as many bee strains.

Massive Product Selection

Customers can buy:

• Bees
• Queens
• Hives
• Feed
• Containers
• Honey

…all from one source.

Commercial-Grade Woodenware

Their wax-dipped equipment is highly respected.

Large Customer Base

Nearly 4,000 reviews suggest extremely high order volume.

Weaknesses

Customer Service Inconsistency

Experiences vary dramatically.

Live Bee Shipping Risks

Queen shipping problems appear repeatedly.

Communication Complaints

Some customers report ignored emails.

Compared to smaller boutique queen breeders, customer support may feel less personalized.

Shipping, Refunds & Return Experiences in 2026

Shipping live bees is always difficult because weather, transit delays, and temperature changes can quickly become fatal.

Positive Shipping Experiences

Satisfied customers mention:

• Careful packaging
• Fast shipping
• Free shipping promotions
• Well-protected equipment

Negative Shipping Experiences

Problems reported include:

• Transit delays
• Weak packaging
• Dead queens
• Incorrect ship timing

One review specifically mentioned:

“Packaging was a little flimsy.”

Refund Advice for Buyers

Experienced beekeepers recommend:

Always Video Your Unboxing

This creates evidence for:

• Dead queens
• Missing items
• Damaged shipments

Call Immediately

Phone support appears more effective than email according to many reviewers.

Who Should Buy from Lappe’s Bee Supply?

Lappe’s is not necessarily ideal for every beekeeper.

Best For

Experienced Beekeepers

Those familiar with queen installation and colony management.

Bulk Equipment Buyers

The hive quality receives consistently strong reviews.

Midwest Customers

Pickup reduces shipping risks significantly.

Genetics-Focused Apiaries

Their variety of queen lines is impressive.

Use Caution If

You’re Brand New to Beekeeping

Beginners often need more customer support.

You Need Guaranteed Timing

Spring nectar windows can be unforgiving.

You Can’t Risk Shipping Delays

Live bees are always vulnerable in transit.

Final Verdict: Is Lappe’s Bee Supply Worth It in 2026?

Lappe’s Bee Supply and Honey Farm LLC is clearly a legitimate, high-volume beekeeping supplier with thousands of satisfied customers across the United States.

The company excels in:

• Wax-dipped hive quality
• Queen bee variety
• Competitive pricing
• Fast hard-goods shipping
• Pollen patties and feed
• Raw Iowa honey

The biggest risks involve:

• Live queen shipping
• Communication delays
• Refund frustrations during disputes

For many experienced beekeepers, the strengths outweigh the weaknesses — especially for equipment orders.

For beginners or customers needing intensive support, expectations should remain realistic.

The overall picture in 2026 is this:

Lappe’s is excellent for hard goods and potentially excellent for bees — if shipping goes smoothly.

FAQs About Lappe’s Bee Supply and Honey Farm LLC

1. Where is Lappe’s Bee Supply located?

Lappe’s Bee Supply is located at 117 Florence Ave, East Peru, Iowa 50222 in Madison County near Des Moines.

2. Does Lappe’s ship bees nationwide?

Yes. The company advertises shipping live bees and supplies to all 50 US states.

3. Why are review scores so different online?

Birdeye mostly reflects product satisfaction, while Yelp often captures customer service disputes and shipping frustrations.

4. What bee strains does Lappe’s sell?

Italian, Carniolan, Buckfast, Cordovan, and Russian Hybrid bees and queens.

5. Is Lappe’s honey good quality?

Customer reviews for their Raw Iowa Honey are overwhelmingly positive.

6. What is the biggest complaint about Lappe’s?

The most common complaints involve delayed queen shipments and refund communication problems.