For a beginner in beekeeping, it is important to select the correct beekeeper supplies for hive management and harvesting methods. Generally, you can find supply kits on the market, which are priced from the nominal to the most expensive. However, keep in mind that choosing the best quality beekeeper supplies will ensure the smooth running of your business.
Whether to buy a supply kit or buy the tools individually is up to you. Here are some components to help you make the right choice.
American Bee Journal Subscription – Stay up-to-date on current supply and breeding news. The magazine updates its website regularly and you can consider it your one-stop resource for all the new information about beekeeping.
Supplies Status – Always remember to buy the highest quality beekeeping equipment. Why? Not only will it make your handling smooth, but health and the amount of honey production also depend on supplies. If supplies do not meet standards, the quality of honey production will suffer.
The Hive – Although not a supply in the materialistic sense of the term, but consider it metaphorically, unless you have the perfect ‘hive’ your other supplies will be of no use. Selecting the queen bee and the colony of other bees is your priority. So the material you build the hives from should be predominantly on the supply list. Popular materials include styrofoam hives and feeders; they are also inexpensively priced.
Hive Structure: The selection of your beekeeper supplies also depends on the number of floors of the hive you want. For example, two- or three-story hives would need more supplies for maintenance. Similarly, if you live in a cold climate for a longer time, you should also purchase a thermal hive wrap.
Cost: Before starting the beekeeping business, set aside a fixed capital to invest in purchasing supplies. As quality is the primary concern, supplies will undoubtedly cost more. You can buy the supplies at local stores or order them online. If you choose to order online, be sure to select the correct tools and materials before ordering.
