Congratulations on your decision to enter the fascinating world of beekeeping! As you may know, beekeeping is a rewarding and challenging hobby that can provide you with plenty of delicious honey while also helping to pollinate your local ecosystem. But before you can start reaping the rewards of beekeeping, you’ll need to make sure you have all the supplies and equipment.
To help you get started, we’ve put together a Beekeeping Supplies Guide with everything you need.
17 essential beginning beekeeping supplies you will need
Surprisingly enough, it takes quite a bit of equipment to do beekeeping successfully. Here’s a list of beekeeping supplies you’ll need to get started:
1. Bee hive
The most obvious beekeeping equipment to get started with is the bee hive itself. There are a variety of different types of hives available on the market, so it’s important to do your research and choose the one that’s right for you.
2. Bee smoker
A bee smoker is an essential tool for any beekeeper. This device is used to calm bees when you need to work with them, and it also comes in handy for clearing away hive debris. When you need to place the queen, a bee smoker is used to gently move the bees out of the way.
3. Protective clothing
Another essential piece of beekeeping equipment are protective clothes. This includes a bee suit (or veil), gloves, and boots. Bee stings can be painful, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to avoid them. It’s also important to know if you’re allergic to bee stings before you get started with beekeeping.
4. Honey extractor
Once you’ve harvested your honey, you’ll need a way to extract it from the comb. A honey extractor is a device that spins the honeycomb to separate the honey from the wax. This is useful to use, too, if you’d want to sell your honey.
5. Hive tool
A hive tool is a multipurpose tool that every beekeeper needs. It’s used for a variety of tasks, including opening hives, removing hive frames, and cleaning out hive debris.
6. Gloves
As a beekeeper, you’ll be handling bees on a regular basis. To protect your hands from bee stings, it’s important to wear gloves when working with them. It’s also just better to have gloves on vs. your bare hands when you’re dealing with honey and wax.
7. Bee brush
A bee brush is a soft-bristled brush that’s used to gently remove bees from honeycomb or other surfaces. This can be paired with the smoker to help keep the bees calm while you’re working with them.
8. Veil
A veil is a piece of beekeeping equipment that covers your head and face to protect you from bee stings.
9. Sugar water feeder
A sugar water feeder is a device used to feed sugar water to bees. This is typically done when the hive is first established or during times of drought when there isn’t enough natural pollen available.
10. Beekeeping shoes
While beekeeping, you’ll likely be stepping in a lot of honey and beeswax. To protect your shoes from getting ruined, it’s a good idea to invest in a pair of beekeeping shoes. Rain boots or hiking boots are good options.
11. Essential oils
Essential oils can be used to deter bees from entering your beekeeping area. To use them, simply add a few drops of oil to a cotton ball and place it near the entrance to your beekeeping area. Some specific kinds of essential oils can be especially effective, like peppermint oil and lemongrass oil.
12. Water bowl
Bees need water to survive, so it’s important to provide them with a water source. Water bowls or bird baths placed near your beekeeping area are a good option.
13. Bee hive frames
Bee hive frames are used to support the comb inside a bee hive. They are essential in providing a structure for the bees to build their comb. You can also use them to harvest honey.
14. Bee pollen
Bee pollen is a high-protein powder that’s produced by bees. It can be used as a food source for bees or as a dietary supplement for humans.
15. Propolis
Propolis is a sticky substance that bees use to build their hives. It has a variety of uses, including sealing cracks in the hive and deterring predators.
16. Wax foundation
Wax foundation is used to help bees build their comb. It’s typically made from beeswax and is available in a variety of sizes.
17. Honey strainer
A honey strainer is a device used to strain honey before bottling. It’s important to strain honey to remove any impurities, such as beeswax or pollen.
Where can you buy beekeeping supplies?
Now that you know what beekeeping supplies you need, you’re probably wondering where to buy them. There are a few options available to you, but you can typically buy bees at local beekeeping supply stores and online retailers.
Local beekeeping supply stores
If you have a local beekeeping supply store, this is a great place to start your search for beekeeping supplies. The staff at these stores are typically knowledgeable about beekeeping and can help you find the supplies you need.
Online retailers
If you don’t have a local beekeeping supply store, you can find beekeeping supplies online. There are a variety of online retailers that sell beekeeping supplies, so it’s important to compare prices and shipping costs before making a purchase.
Conclusion
Beekeeping is a rewarding hobby that can provide you with a source of fresh, local honey. To get started, you’ll need to gather the necessary supplies and equipment. This beekeeping supplies guide will help you get started by providing a checklist of the essential beekeeping supplies you’ll need.
If you need additional help getting started or managing your beehive, be sure to read our beekeeper guide.
