Equipment for beginners — part 2
This is a continuation of the post from a fortnight ago, and I recommend you start there for the preamble if you're a new subscriber (or forgetful 😉).
Although the views I express in these two posts are primarily for people starting beekeeping, there may be things of relevance to those entering their second or third year who are keen to expand their hive numbers.
It may also be of relevance to those training new beekeepers, and who want to reinforce the need to choose equipment wisely {{1}}.
The financial outlay you have to make when starting beekeeping is a lot less than the commitment the catalogues and websites imply you should make.
Nevertheless, you probably will have to part with a substantial chunk of cash before you get your bees … {{2}}.
You need a hive for the bees to live in, the PPE (personal protective equipment i.e. a bee suit and gloves) to keep you safe and feeling confident, and a hive tool and smoker for colony inspections.
Those items provide what's necessary to house your bees, and to check they're still in the box in the weeks after you put them there, and not (yet) making plans to swarm.
But it doesn't end there.
Although it might not be used in your first season, you will need additional equipment to ensure you keep your bees.
Keep as in keep them from swarming, a process that results in the potential loss of ~75% of the workers, and any chance of getting a good honey crop that season.
This is the kit required for successful swarm control.
Unfortunately, from a financial standpoint, this additional equipment — the easiest and least expensive option being a simple 5–frame nucleus hive — will be needed almost from the outset.
When swarm control is required, you don't have the time to order something suitable online and await delivery. Furthermore, your beekeeping friends are likely busily applying their swarm control, so may not have any spares to borrow.
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I discussed the bee suit, gloves, and the hive tool in part 1. This week I'm going to focus on the choice of the hive, a nuc for swarm control, the smoker, and a couple of 'luxury' items that will make your early forays in beekeeping both easier and more enjoyable.