Supplies
-Two nucs: If you're a new beekeeper, two spring nucs specifically. We always advise our customers to run at least two colonies. You will thank us later.
-Smoker: We suggest a dadant brand smoker, it will outlast your beekeeping career.
-Ventilated bee suit or veil: The more comfortable this is, the more likely you are to work your bees in our opinion. eBay has some ventilated smock style ones that only cost around $10-$20. You can upgrade to a more expensive jacket down the line when you have a better understanding of what your comfort level is.
-Gloves: We don't use them, but they are good to have sometimes.
-Hive tool: Standard style. We suggest buying 2 because you will lose one in the grass.
-Complete 5 frame nuc box: You can build one yourself out of plywood, buy a plastic one or purchase a fancy solid wood one with finger joints. It's important to have one of these or more for swarms, splits, mating queens and even just to put a frame in during inspection.
-Varroa mite shaker: If you want bees alive the following spring, start thinking about counting mites.
Woodenware
To complete the nucs or single deep colonies you are purchasing from us (Makes two colonies):
-4 deep boxes, 10 frame size
-40 deep frames
-2 medium supers, 10 frame size
-20 medium frames
- 2 queen excluder, 10 frame size
-2 bottom boards, 10 frame size
-2 inner covers, 10 frame size.
-2 outer covers,10 frame size
-2 entrance reducers
-2 feeders that have a capacity to hold at least 1 gallon
Suggested additional equipment (Makes two splits or homes for caught swarms)
-2 deep boxes, 10 frame size
-20 deep frames
-2 inner covers, 10 frame size.
-2 outer covers,10 frame size
-2 entrance reducers
-2 bottom boards, 10 frame size
-2 feeders that have a capacity to hold at least 1 gallon
It is always advisable to have more frames that just exactly what your boxes fit. The reason is that sometimes the bees just don't like the frame and will build comb incorrectly. Because of this, you may need to swap out frames. Something to think about.
If you are starting from scratch, consider purchasing an Overwintered/Spring Single Deep Colony from us. The price will include the woodenware that you will receive with the bees installed and ready to go. Simply take the colony home, set it in place and open the entrance. Bam! You have yourself a colony. This spring colony is the perfect starter for a new beekeepers who needs woodenware. If an overwintered colony is given drawn comb and managed correctly, they will produce a summer honey crop.
Let me know if you have questions.
Thank you,
Trevor Bawden
Lloyd St. Bees