Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

Essential (& Some Non-essential) Essential (& Some Non-essential) Beginning Beekeeper EquipmentBeginning Beekeeper Equipment

Dave Carter & Dave Carter & Bob MitchellBob Mitchell

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

You will need some new equipment … You will need some new equipment … (so many options – so little time to choose)(so many options – so little time to choose)

• Bee Hive(s) & Supers

• Tools for Inspecting & Caring for Hive(s)

• Safety Equipment

SmokerSmoker

BrushBrush

Hive ToolsHive Tools

GlovesGloves

FeedersFeeders

Spray BottleSpray Bottle

VeilVeil

HiveHive

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

Bee Hive(s) & SupersBee Hive(s) & Supers

• 8 or 10 frame boxes?• Wedged, grooved, or

divided frames?• Full, medium, or short?• Wax or plastic foundation?

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

Tools for Inspecting & Caring for Hive(s)

• Hive tool(s)

• Bee Brush /Feather

• Feeders

• Spray Bottle (for sugar syrup)

• Notebook

• Frame Holder

SmokerSmoker

BrushBrush

Hive ToolsHive Tools

GlovesGloves

FeedersFeeders

Spray BottleSpray Bottle

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

A note on Feeders – Enclosed are A note on Feeders – Enclosed are much better!!!much better!!!

•Entrance feeders may be convenient ….

•BUT, they may lead to robbing and angry bees.

•Enclose your feeders in an extra hive box on top or get an enclosed feeder.

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

Safety Equipment

• Smoker

• Smoker Fuel

• Veil

• Jacket / Long Sleeve Shirt

• Long Paints

• Gloves

SmokerSmoker

GlovesGloves

VeilVeil

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

Beekeeping has a cost.Beekeeping has a cost.

• Bee Hive & Supers ~ $125- $175 (bottom board, hive & honey supers, frames, queen excluder, Inner cover, entrance reducer)

• Bees ~ $75 - $85 (3lbs. & queen)

• Clothing & Tools ~ $75 - $125 ( Veil, gloves, smoker,2 hive tools, bee brush)

• Feed & Medications ~ $35-$60 (Mite & Nosema medication, Sugar, etc.)

• Beginner Bee Class ~ $80_____

Total Yr. 1 w/one hive = ~ $390 - $525 Total Yr. 1 w/two hives = ~ $590- $785

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

Expect . . . To need extra super(s) Expect . . . To need extra super(s)

•Have Extra Super(s) on hand, with frames and foundation.

•You never know when you will need to expand your hive(s), or

•Collect a swarm for a new hive.

From This To This

In 2009!!!

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

Don’t Needlessly Worry about Don’t Needlessly Worry about things you won’t need this year!!!things you won’t need this year!!!

•You don’t need a honey extractor this year – so just meet someone who has one.

•You don’t need jars for honey this year.

•You don’t need a frame knife, honey buckets, labels, pierco frames, etc.

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

Get your equipment and prepare it NOW ! ! ! Get your equipment and prepare it NOW ! ! ! (or well before the spring bee season) (or well before the spring bee season)

If you have some handyman skills, you can save some money (but may want to focus this on future years).

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

Basic/Simple ToolsBasic/Simple Tools

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

Painting and Assembling EquipmentPainting and Assembling Equipment

• You can use those cans of leftover exterior paint in your basement.

• Only paint the outside of hive boxes and supers.

• Different Color for different hives is great, as it reduces “drifting”.

• Use a good, water proof wood glue.

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

For those that are handy, you For those that are handy, you can build you own (NEXT can build you own (NEXT

WINTER!!!) WINTER!!!)

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

A Range of Build-It-Yourself ItemsA Range of Build-It-Yourself Items

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

Simplicity of the Langstroth HiveSimplicity of the Langstroth Hive

•Simplicity of hives & square angles make easy projects.

•Build to fit standard size equipment.

•Respect 3/8 Inch Bee Space between fixtures and parts.

•Simple Joints & Dados.

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

Don’t get carried away with Equipment Don’t get carried away with Equipment

• You have years ahead to let your equipment stock grow!!!

Beginning Beekeeper Workshop

January 14, 2012

Questions & Equipment DemoQuestions & Equipment Demo