Honeybee Keeping Supplies

Good morning, Friends,

I’m getting into beekeeping this summer. I bought a nuc that I’m picking up in July and I’m going to pick up my hive this week. I want to make sure I have everything in place once I bring the bees home. I also took the online beekeeping course from PSU.

I’m looking for a place to buy my beekeeping supplies from and wanted to get some recommendations from you fine folks, thanks for the help!

Dadant Bee Supply and Mann Lake Are 2 that I used.

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I recommend locating and supporting your local supplier (usually a dealer for dadant, mann lake or both) for no other reason than to keep local mom and pops afloat. Besides it's always nice to be able to pick something on a moments notice and most of these locals are a great source of help and advice.

Now that said I also order online from both dadant and mann lake. Online is often cheaper, especially if buying in bulk to qualify for free shipping.

I also order odd bits and pieces from other suppliers as well as I'm always shopping best price and quality (not often the same). For instance Blue Sky is carrying Lega of Italy products and I've found them to be top of the line quality.

Our local CO-OP has Mann Lake supplies and are usually pretty close in price to ordering online. I don't mind paying a little higher price knowing I can run to CO-OP and pick up what I need when I need it. Sometimes you don't have time to wait on shipping what you need.

True, but I favor the beekeeper/dealer over the co-op, tsc, ace hardware that carry bee supplies. For one ask someone at those places when you should super or what to do with queen cells and you'll get a blank look.
Nothing wrong with those stores but for a new keeper it sure is nice to have someone that knows what they're selling is used for.

Don't know where you are in PA but in the future, if you expand and are looking for a lot of equipment without the shipping, there's an amish kid in the lancaster area that makes a ton of wooden ware.

Forest hill woodworking. I forgot that a few years ago he had someone on the outside set up a website for him. You may do better dealing direct...

https://foresthillbeesupply.com

We get all of our wooden ware from a local Amish man. He sells cypress wooden ware for less than we can get pine from the big guys. Do get our frames and foundation from Mann Lake though. Also get some things from Better Bee. I really like the Lyson line of jackets and veils that they carry, also Lyson makes really nice extractors and related equipment for a great price. Kelly Beekeeping (which is now part of Mann Lake)is only a couple counties away so if we get in a bind and really need something we can just run over there and pick it up. We also have a Dadant store a couple hours away. Kentucky is a great state for beekeeping as far as easy access to equipment suppliers!

Join your local bee club as the members will know all the local places to get stuff and they may even do a club buy where they take everyone's order and pool them to get the quantity price breaks and spread out the shipping. Plus there is a ton of knowledge in most cubs that members are happy to share.

That's the Zook's. One in TN a brothet in I think KY and that I think is a nephew. I've heard nothing but good about all of them. Only thing is I believe they use 7/8 stock (I know Albert in TN does) which may cause some compatibility issues, mainly with telescoping tops and pallet clips.

Pete Zook is in KY, down towards the TN border in Franklin. I went and picked up some supers last week and he is absolutely swamped. Out of most anything 10 frame. We run 8 frames and he did have what we needed. Can't beat his prices on cypress wooden ware!

I also deal with an Amishman named Zook here in Ohio. Quality work and honest. Wonder if they are related.

Probably

Also they deal mainly in cypess woodenware. IMO, the best for boxes.

Mann Lake all the way!

looks like they have a Mann Lake in Pa. They have weekly internet specials and free shipping over $100.

You may have a distributor close by as well. These are the smaller mom and pop shops that need support also. My local Mann Lake Distributor sells for the same price as the catalog.

My local mom and pop honey supplier is a mann lake dealer. Their shop is literal a portable warehouse beside their home. They usually charge a few cents over what Mann Lake does, but I'd rather shop local and not pay shipping. Not to mention, when I have issues with my bees, they literally come to my farm and have a look.

Mann Lake purchase Kelleys last year.

Great info!