In part one, we discussed ordering your bee packages and beekeeping resources. In part two, we will go over equipment you will need to get started and places to get it.
You should expect to spend $700-900 per hive the first year including the bees.
Equipment:
Nature’s Nectar provides some equipment and tools at their store in Oakdale, MN. I also order equipment from Mann Lake. They send out sales emails throughout the year which helps with cost.
Many beekeepers will tell you to NOT buy used hive boxes and frames. You risk bringing disease to your bees. The really bad one you don't want is American Foulbrood. (AFB) That leaves spores that can live for 100 years. The only way to get rid of it is burn the hive. So you can get used equipment (tools and bee suits) but stick with new hives.
Hives:
I suggest getting enough equipment to put three 10-frame deep boxes on each hive. I tend to winter over in 3 deeps but I have a 2 deep I'm wintering over this year. We'll see how it goes.
You can buy assembled or unassembled. Consider cost vs time. Mann Lake offers starter kits too.
Per hive:
(3) Deep Frame Kit: Mann Lake,
(3) 10-frame deep hive body (9 5/8 in) (Included in Deep Frame Kit)
(30) Frames (Included in Deep Frame Kit)
(30) Foundation. Needs to be changed out every 3-5 years. (Included in Deep Frame Kit)
Outer cover (telescoping): Mann Lake,
Inner cover (Included with outer cover)
Bottom board (I have a screened bottom board with a varroa mite trap.) Mann Lake,
Entrance reducer (Included with Bottom Board)
Honey Supers:
You'll want 2-4 supers to start. A second year hive could use more. You put two on at a time typically. Some hives may produce more than 4 supers in a year but this gives you the option to take 2 off and harvest while leaving 2 on in the meantime so the bees keep working on it. Some say not to expect a honey harvest the first year but depending on the year, you might get some so it's best to be prepared with supers.
Super Kit: Mann Lake,
2-4 super boxes (6 5/8 in) (Part of Super Kit)
10 frames per box (Part of Super Kit)
10 foundation per box (Part of Super Kit)
Queen excluder (this allows worker bees up in the supers but not the queen (wider abdomen), since you don't want brood in your honey.) Mann Lake,
Tools:
Hive tool: Mann Lake,
4x7 Smoker: Mann Lake,
Smoker fuel: (cotton, paper, pine needles, etc) Mann Lake,
Bee Brush: Mann Lake,
Spray bottle (for sugar water when installing your package in the hive): Walmart,
Feed:
You will need pollen patties and sugar syrup to get your hives started.
Pollen Patties for brood rearing: I’ve ordered the 10 lb box of Ultra Bee Patties. You can freeze what you don’t use for next season. Mann Lake,
Syrup: You can make sugar water to feed the bees which I’ve done in the past. I have also used Pro-Sweet which the bees don’t have to convert to honey and doesn’t spoil and mold like sugar water will. Mann Lake,
Feeding supplement: I’ve used Pro-Health and add it to their sugar/syrup feed. Mann Lake,
Feeders: I’ve used the feeders that fit in the box next to the frames and I’ve used the feeder pails you tip over on top of the inner cover. I think the pails are easier to use if you do it right. I got mine from Nature’s Nectar. An ice cream bucket with pinholes in the lid can work too.
Protective Gear:
At a minimum you will need a hat and veil to protect your face. I started with a hat and veil and gloves. I would wear a light colored, collared sweat shirt. My first full bee suit was a birthday gift from my husband when we were dating. He’s so sweet!
Suits & Jackets: Mann Lake
That wraps it up for now.
Happy shopping!