I am very new to beekeeping, so I am slowly gathering the supplies and tools I will need to get started. I read The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Beekeeping by Katie Brandt and got advice from local beekeepers about the tools I would need to get started. Here is a list of beginner beekeeping supplies that I am buying to get started with backyard beekeeping this year!
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Essential Beginner Beekeeping Supplies for Getting Started
Here are some must-have supplies for getting started with bees!
Langstroth Hive
I decided to go with a 10 frame langstroth hive kit from Galena Farms. It had great reviews, came with everything I needed for the hive, and looked beautiful! Here is everything included in the kit:
- 2 brood boxes
- Queen excluder
- Honey Supers
- Frames
- Inner lid
- Outer lid
Hive tool
A hive tool is an inexpensive tool that you use to open the hive and move the frames. You can also use it to scrape away wax from the hive. You can buy it in a kit or individually. This is the hive tool I have.
J Hook
A j hook is similar to the hive tool, but it is shaped like a J and makes lifting the frames a breeze! Get a j hook here.
Smoker
A smoker is a tool that beekeepers use to puff smoke into the beehive entrance. It is not hot and doesn’t harm the bees, but it distracts them so that the beekeeper can safely check on the hive. You can buy pellets to light it, but we just use dead grass and leaves! This is the smoker that I have.
Feeder
A honeybee feeder helps the bee colony with their feeding. It helps feed sugar to the honey bees, and it is most important when establishing your colony and during the winter. We purchased these ones and use a quart-sized mason jar on each one. We just dissolve 1 part sugar in 1 part water to make their food.
Bee Brush
A bee brush is a simple tool that you can use to brush honey bees off of the frame when you are inspecting the hive or getting ready to extract the honey. It is really important to have for inspections and when removing honey! I recommend this brush.
Cinder Blocks or Hive Stand
You will need something to set your hive on to protect it from the ground and predators like raccoons and 0possums. You can buy a hive stand like this or go the cheap route like we did and get cinder blocks like this. We used 2 per hive, but you can elevate them more by using 4 per hive.
Beginner Beekeeping Supplies: Clothing
It is essential to have the right clothing and gear to protect yourself from bees!
Bee Suit + Veil
For beekeeping, you want to make sure that you have protective gear! Some people say that you can get by with a veil and cotton shirt, but my husband and I have both been stung by a lot of bees and preferred the security of a bee suit! These are the ones we purchased because they had good reviews and were offered at a mid-range price point. We have been very happy with them! We sized up one size, so I got a medium and my husband got an extra large.
The suit pictured below is a different suit that has great reviews and is slightly less expensive than the suit I mentioned above.
Gloves
Goatskin gloves are best because they are calming to the bees. Here is a pair for an affordable price. We like them because they come in multiple sizes.
Bees
When you go to buy your bees, you’ll have the option of purchasing them as a package or as nucs. There are pros and cons to both!
Package of Bees
Packages are cheaper and are less likely to have diseases. They take longer to establish, but can be a good option for a new beekeeper! They contain worker bees and a queen that may be from a different hive. These usually come in different sizes–we ordered about 12,000 bees or 3 lb. of bees for our hive.
Nucs
Nucs are established colonies that come with the queen, workers, and comb. They are more expensive and can have pest issues, but they help you get further along sooner!
Other Beginner Beekeeping Supplies You May Need
Formic Pro
This is a natural product that helps target mites in your beehive. I read that mites can destroy your hive, so this is one way to keep your hive healthy. Get it here.
Hive Wrap
When it comes time to winterize my hive, I will be buying a hive wrap to keep my bees warm and secure over the winter. This one has great reviews.
Manual or Electric Extractor
I am not planning on purchasing an extractor until the following year when we are ready to harvest our honey; however, it is something I will need down the road. This manual extractor and this electric extractor have great ratings. You might also be able to rent one from your local beekeeping association.
Books + Guides About Beginner Beekeeping
As I mentioned above, I learned so much from The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Beekeeping. Katie broke down exactly what I needed and how to get started in her guide. This is where I learned what supplies to get, where to find local resources, and how to troubleshoot problems with the hive.
I also purchased The Beginner’s Guide to Beekeeping from Tractor Supply as another reference point. If you want more support, an online course or local class would be helpful! Just check your cities website or call them to see if any local classes are available.
I am so excited to start on this beekeeping journey and can’t wait to show you what I learn along the way! We probably won’t harvest honey until a year later, but I’m in it for the long haul!
This post is all about beginner beekeeping supplies.
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