Product Overview
2027 Italian Package Bees for Sale – 3 lb with Marked Queen & FREE Shipping
Get your apiary off to a great start with our 2027 Italian package bees for sale! Whether you're starting your first beehive, replacing a lost colony, or expanding an established apiary, our 3 lb Italian honey bee packages are an excellent choice for beginner and experienced beekeepers alike.
Italian honey bees (Apis mellifera ligustica) are among the most popular honey bee varieties in the United States. Known for their generally gentle temperament, strong spring colony development, productive brood patterns, and excellent honey-gathering potential, Italian bees have been a favorite among American beekeepers for generations.
Each shipped Italian package includes approximately 3 pounds of live honey bees, one mated and marked Italian queen, and a feed can to nourish the bees during transportation.
FREE standard shipping is included in the purchase price!
Reserve your 2027 Italian package bees today and get ready for the spring beekeeping season!
What's Included with Your 3 lb Italian Package Bees?
- Approximately 3 pounds of live Italian honey bees: Thousands of worker bees ready to begin establishing a new colony.
- One mated, marked Italian queen: A marked queen is easier to locate and identify during hive inspections.
- Feed can: Provides nourishment for the bees during shipment.
- FREE standard shipping: Shipping is included in the advertised package price.
A 3 lb package generally contains approximately 10,000 honey bees, although the exact number can vary depending on the size and weight of the individual bees.
Package bees are a convenient way to start a new honey bee colony using your own hive equipment. Unlike a nucleus colony, a package of bees does not include frames of drawn comb, brood, or stored honey.
Why Choose Italian Honey Bees?
Italian honey bees are widely appreciated for their manageable temperament, active foraging behavior, and ability to develop strong colonies under favorable conditions. Their characteristics make them suitable for backyard beekeepers, hobbyists, and established honey producers.
Generally Gentle and Easy to Manage
Italian honey bees are known for their generally gentle disposition. This makes them a popular choice for beginner beekeepers who are learning how to inspect their hives, handle frames, and manage developing colonies.
Although Italian bees are typically manageable, colony temperament can vary depending on genetics, weather, nectar availability, queen condition, and beekeeping practices.
Excellent Honey Production Potential
Italian honey bees are active foragers that can take advantage of available nectar sources throughout the growing season. With strong colony populations, favorable weather, and adequate forage, Italian bees can develop into productive honey-producing colonies.
Successful honey production depends on colony health, local nectar flows, weather conditions, and proper hive management.
Strong Spring Colony Development
Italian queens are known for maintaining productive brood-rearing patterns when sufficient food and suitable environmental conditions are available.
This brood production can help colonies build strong populations during spring and prepare for upcoming nectar flows. Because Italian bees may continue raising brood during periods of limited forage, beekeepers should monitor food stores and provide supplemental feeding when necessary.
Beautiful Golden Coloring
Italian honey bees are often recognized by their attractive golden-yellow to brown coloring. Their appearance, combined with their desirable beekeeping characteristics, has made them one of the most recognizable honey bee varieties.
Ideal for New and Experienced Beekeepers
Whether you're establishing your first colony or adding more hives to an existing apiary, Italian package bees offer a versatile option. Their generally gentle temperament, colony-building characteristics, and honey production potential make them a popular choice for many beekeeping operations.
2027 Italian Package Bee Shipping Information
FREE SHIPPING IS INCLUDED WITH YOUR ITALIAN PACKAGE BEES!
Our 2027 Italian honey bee packages are shipped live during the spring package bee shipping season.
How Your Italian Package Bees Are Shipped
- Package bees are shipped through the United States Postal Service using the designated live-bee shipping service.
- Shipments are held at the assigned Post Office for customer pickup.
- Customers will receive tracking information when their shipping label is created or their bees have shipped.
- The selected shipping date is the anticipated shipment date, not a guaranteed arrival date.
- Actual arrival dates may vary due to weather, postal routing, and other circumstances beyond our control.
- Shipping schedules may be adjusted due to weather conditions, bee availability, or carrier requirements.
IMPORTANT: Shipped package bees are held at a designated Post Office for pickup rather than delivered to your residence. The assigned pickup location may not be the Post Office closest to your home.
Once your tracking information becomes available, we recommend contacting your assigned Post Office to let them know that a live honey bee shipment is expected.
Please monitor your tracking information carefully and pick up your bees promptly when they become available.
Bring a government-issued photo ID matching the recipient information on your shipment.
Have your beehive completely assembled and ready before your bees arrive!
Preparing for Your New Italian Honey Bees
Proper preparation is one of the most important steps toward successfully establishing a new honey bee colony.
Before your Italian package bees arrive, we recommend having the following equipment and supplies ready:
- Beehive equipment: A properly assembled Langstroth hive with frames, foundation, bottom board, inner cover, and outer cover.
- Hive stand: A sturdy, level stand that keeps the hive elevated above the ground.
- Bee feeder: A suitable feeder and feeding plan to help your new colony establish itself.
- Protective equipment: A bee suit or jacket, veil, and gloves.
- Beekeeping tools: A hive tool and smoker for future hive inspections.
- Water source: A dependable source of clean water near your apiary.
- Hive location: A suitable location with good drainage, adequate sunlight, and a clear flight path.
Feeding Newly Installed Package Bees
Newly installed package bees must establish their colony, draw comb, and begin storing food. Supplemental feeding can be especially helpful when natural nectar sources are limited or when bees are being installed on undrawn foundation.
Many beekeepers use 1:1 sugar syrup during spring colony establishment to encourage comb building and provide an accessible food source.
Continue monitoring the colony's food supply and adjust feeding according to local conditions, available forage, and colony development.
Introducing Your Italian Queen
Your package includes a mated, marked Italian queen housed in a protective queen cage.
Queen introduction is an important part of establishing a successful colony. Follow the instructions provided with your package and use the appropriate slow-release method for the queen cage supplied.
Do not directly release your queen unless specifically instructed to do so.
After installation, allow the colony time to accept the queen and begin establishing itself. Avoid unnecessary disturbances during this important period.
Why Purchase Italian Package Bees from Lappe's Bee Supply?
At Lappe's Bee Supply & Honey Farm, we've been involved in beekeeping since 1978. We understand how important it is to begin the season with quality honey bees, dependable equipment, and helpful information.
When you order your 2027 Italian package bees from Lappe's Bee Supply, you receive:
- FREE shipping included in the advertised package price.
- Approximately 3 pounds of Italian honey bees for establishing a new colony.
- One mated, marked Italian queen included with every package.
- Helpful beekeeping information for beginners and experienced beekeepers.
- Access to a wide selection of beekeeping equipment and supplies to help you prepare for your bees.
- Service from an established, family-owned beekeeping business with decades of hands-on experience.
Whether you're purchasing your first package of Italian bees or expanding your apiary, we're here to help you prepare for a successful beekeeping season.
Frequently Asked Questions About Italian Package Bees
How many bees are in a 3 lb Italian package?
A 3 lb package generally contains approximately 10,000 honey bees. The exact number varies depending on the size and weight of individual bees.
Does my Italian package include a queen?
Yes! Every 2027 Italian package includes one mated, marked Italian queen housed in a protective queen cage.
Are Italian honey bees good for beginners?
Yes. Italian honey bees are popular among beginner beekeepers because they are generally gentle, develop strong colonies under favorable conditions, and have good honey production potential.
Is shipping included in the price of my Italian package bees?
Yes! Standard shipping is included in the advertised purchase price of your Italian package bees.
Will my Italian package bees be delivered to my house?
No. Shipped package bees are held at a designated Post Office for customer pickup. You will receive tracking information and should monitor your shipment carefully so you can retrieve your bees promptly.
When should I have my beehive ready?
Your hive should be assembled, positioned, and ready for your bees before the scheduled shipping date. Have your feeding supplies, protective clothing, and installation equipment ready as well.
Can I start a new colony with a 3 lb package of Italian bees?
Yes! A 3 lb package containing worker bees and a mated queen is a common way to establish a new honey bee colony. Proper installation, feeding, queen acceptance, and ongoing colony management are important for success.
Do Italian honey bees need Varroa mite management?
Yes. Italian honey bees are susceptible to Varroa mites, just like other honey bee varieties. Regular monitoring and an appropriate seasonal treatment program are essential for maintaining colony health.
When will my 2027 Italian package bees ship?
Italian package bees ship during the scheduled 2027 spring shipping season. Available shipping dates are displayed with the product options. Dates are subject to weather conditions, bee availability, and carrier requirements.
What should I do if my package bees arrive damaged?
If your bees arrive damaged or with an excessive number of dead bees, contact Lappe's Bee Supply within 24 hours of receipt and provide the required photographs and order information. Please review our shipped package bee terms and conditions for complete claim requirements.
Reserve Your 2027 Italian Package Bees Today!
2027 Italian Package Bees – 3 lb with Mated, Marked Queen
Get ready for spring with one of America's most popular honey bee varieties. Our shipped Italian package bees provide a convenient way to start a new colony, replace winter losses, or expand your existing apiary.
Spring package bee availability is seasonal, and shipping dates are subject to availability.
Order your 2027 Italian package bees today and get ready for the upcoming beekeeping season!
Please review our Shipped Package Bees & Nucs Terms & Conditions before placing your order.
For questions about shipped package bees or to report an issue with your shipment, please visit our Package Bee Help page or email [email protected].
