Setting Up a Beehive Part 3

 Sometimes it's not the idea of the project itself that keeps us from a new venture, it's all the stuff we need to get started. When your new you don't know what is necessary and what is hype. Because bees can seem so unapproachable, people tend to go overboard at least in the beginning. Personally, I prefer not to look like a spaceman so I don't where a suit or gloves, just a simple veil. The advantage of working without a suit is that it's no big deal to check the hive so you're likely to do it more often. The advantage of working without gloves is that you are less likely to squish bees and aggravate the hive. The overall advantage is that you will handle the hive very carefully which allows the bees to accept you and develops a productive working relationship between the beekeeper and the bees.

So what is the basic beekeeping equipment you need to get started? Obviously the first thing you need is a hive. The basic hive components you'll need for your first year are, the hive stand, the bottom board, two hive bodies with ten frames each, one queen excluder, one super with ten frames, inner lid and outer lid.

You'll want a veil to protect you face and eyes. Some veils attach to a helmet, just get one you can easily see through,

You will need a smoker to calm the bees before opening the hive.

The bees will build comb that glues the frames together so it is necessary to have a hive tool to pry the frames apart every time you get into the hive.

That's all you need to get started. Once you're ready to harvest honey you might want more equipment but for now, you're all set.

Bees are kind of mysterious and intimidating but the promise of sweet golden honey and the privilege of protecting the sustainability of our ecosystem makes it worth getting to know them.