Beginning Beekeeping Kits for Sale: What You Need to Get Started

Beekeeping has an allure unmatched by many other hobbies. To people who have never been around bees, they may seem almost fairy-like, zipping through the air, leaving little trails of pollen dust as proof of their presence. They frighten others with their loud buzz and the possible threat of a sting. Even if you’re the latter, they command a certain respect. If you need no more convincing, scroll down to my recommended beginning beekeeping kits for sale!

I used to run away from anything with black and yellow stripes. Despite my natural instinct to flee at any the sound of any audible buzz, beekeeping always had that magical allure. Thankfully my curiosity outweighed the fear, I’ve had several years to become acquainted with the lovely lives of bees by working with a local beekeeper. Since then, I’ve purchased some of my own beehives.

One of the best moves I made when getting my hives was to purchase everything at once. I happened to get acquainted with a lady who had been keeping bees for nearly a decade and was ready to pass on the torch and sell all her equipment to me, established colonies included. If you don’t know anyone who is looking to get out of the bee business, you’re not out of luck.

Finding a beginning beekeeping kit for sale doesn’t involve already having connections. Plenty of companies understand the hassle of buying everything individually and have package deals for those looking to break into the bee biz. Whether you want to produce your own honey, boost pollination in your garden and your community, or you want a pet(s) with a bit of a challenge, a beginner kit can simplify your first steps into this fascinating world.

Everything You Need to Get Started Beekeeping

A complete beekeeping kit should include all the essentials to get started with your first hive. This includes where the bees will live, protective gear, and basic hive tools. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Hive components: Most kits include one or two hive boxes, frames, and foundation. These are the basic building blocks where your bees will live and produce honey. I recommend having at least two deep boxes and two honey supers. You’ll start with just one deep, but having the others means you have some on standby for your hive to grow into.
• Protective gear: A beekeeping suit, gloves, and veil are standard to protect you from stings while managing your hive. Some keepers just wear a veil and thick clothing, but as a beginner, I recommend going for the full suit or jacket for peace of mind. The first few times around angry bees can be intimidating, to say the least.
• Smoker: The smoker helps calm the bees, making it easier and safer to work with them.
• Hive tool: This multipurpose tool helps you open the hive, remove frames, and scrape wax or propolis from surfaces.
• Bee Brush: Sometimes you need frames and not all the bees that come with them, like when splitting hives or harvesting honey. A bee brush will gently remove the bees and do so without damaging their delicate little bodies.
• Feeder: In the early stages of beekeeping you might need to feed them sugar water. They will need some food to get them going before they build up their stores. You want to consider feeding any time there is not much forage either. I like using a Boardman feeder, essentially just an upside-down jar on an entrance stand filled with sugar water. They are cheap and you can see from the outside of the hive when they are due for a refill.

Where to Find Beginning Beekeeping Kits for Sale

If you’re looking for beginning beekeeping kits for sale from larger suppliers, several reputable companies cater to novice beekeepers:

• Galena Farms: This is my personal favorite for a few different reasons. Their beginner kit has everything you’ll need to start immediately (minus the bees). They are also one of the cheaper options on the market, without sacrificing quality. Galena Farms partners with several well-known beekeeping suppliers so you can browse multiple companies in one place (with free shipping). You can purchase their beginner kit here.
• Mann Lake Ltd.: One of the largest beekeeping suppliers, Mann Lake offers beginner kits that include almost everything from hive bodies to smokers. The downside is that there isn’t a kit that also includes protective gear, so you’ll have to purchase that separately which adds to the price. Check out their most basic kit here.
• Dadant & Sons: A well-established company in the beekeeping industry, Dadant offers a range of beginner kits, from basic starter kits to deluxe versions with additional tools and supplies. I like that they have an add-on kit in case you want to purchase all the wooden ware you’ll need for the season later. Check out their beginner beekeeping kits here.

One thing I wish I had been warned about is that a lot of wooden ware comes unassembled. Most companies will offer assemblage for an extra fee, so just make sure you’re aware that you may get a box full of wooden pieces that you’ll have to put together yourself. The companies I’ve listed above all have reasonable prices for assembled boxes and frames.

These companies also offer shipping across the U.S., so if you don’t have access to a local supplier, you can still get started with a high-quality kit.

Support Your Local Beekeepers

When searching for beekeeping equipment, consider buying from local suppliers. Most everyone who sells beekeeping paraphernalia is a beekeeper themselves. Beekeepers certainly aren’t gatekeepers. They usually love to share the knowledge they’ve gained through experience and chat about anything bee-related.

Buying local not only supports other beekeepers but connects you to people who have a lot of experience and care about novice beekeepers like yourself succeeding.

Conclusion

Finding the right beekeeping tools and equipment is the first step toward starting your beekeeping adventure. Whether you support a local supplier or go with a national company, a quality beginner kit will provide the tools and equipment you need to get started. Once you have your kit, all that’s left is the bees! Stay tuned for another article discussing the remaining requirement to starting your hive: the bees!