missouristatebeekeepers.myfreeforum.org

worley76 · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Louisburg Missouri

Was wondering if anyone could give me an idea of the cost of getting into beekeeping. I would just like to start out with one hive and see if I have any luck at all with producing some honey. I admit I am totally green but I have been doing some research and would like to know for sure the minimum equipment to buy and the cost.

Thanks alot for any help.

Rob Chance · Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Ste Genevieve Co

Worley, I just went through the same thing this year, only I'm starting out with 4 nucs. I would say that you'd be close to the 300 dollar mark by the time you got the ball rolling. Thats including the necessary tools, wooden ware, bees ect. The good news is alot of the initial investment will last for quite some time with proper care, and adding additional hives won't come near the 300 dollar mark, especially if you are able to split a strong hive next spring. Hope this helps, and good luck!

The following is a list suggested to me by Scott Moser

Materials needed for 1 hive.
1. 2 Deep Supers (9 5/8” depth) –Used as brood chambers.
2. 20 Deep (9 5/8”) frames – For brood chambers.
3. 20 Sheets of deep foundation – Plastic foundation works really well, but do not use
Duragilt.
4. 3-5 Medium super (Illinois Super, 6 ¼” depth) – Used as honey super. Number of
supers per hive varies, but most recommend at least 3 per hive.
5. Enough medium frames for the honey supers- Ten per super.
6. Enough medium foundation for frames above. Plastic can be used, but pure, wired
wax foundation is preferred. Use wired for extracted honey, use comb honey
foundation for comb honey. Beekeepers choice.
7. 1 Reversible bottom board.
8. 1 Inner cover.
9. 1 Telescoping outer cover.
Tools and accessories
1. Hive tool
2. Smoker (4”X7” smoker is adequate for 3-5 hives)
3. Veil and hat
4. Gloves
5. Some type of feeder- Boardman (entrance feeder), inner feeder, pail, etc. (beekeepers
choice)
Handy tools, but not necessary
1. Frame grip- One of the more useful extra tools
2. Queen excluder- Some people use them, some don’t.
3. Bee brush- Used to brush bees off comb, or used to make them very, very, upset!
Drapers Super Bee has the best prices on most equipment. Dadant is higher, but located
in Hamilton, Illinois, across the river in north east Missouri. They are a days trip up and
back and you can save shipping, but they are quite a bit more expensive than Drapers.
Drapers Super Bee
914 S. Street
Auburn, Nebraska 68305
(402) 274-3725

Pintado · Joined: 13 Feb 2009 Posts: 11 Location: Fordland, MO

Worley, I went through the same thing this year. I set a budget for myself of $400.00 for bees and equipment. After it was said and done I came in pretty close to that (Although I didn't keep track of everything). My list came pretty close to one listed by Rob. After a whole week of beekeeping my only other advice is don't go with a cheap bee suite. I really pondered going cheap and I'm really glad I didn't. My reasons are comfort and confidence. You want to be comfortable when your working. As for confidence, I got a cheap head cover with a kit that I picked up and it was really a POS. I want something that will make me feel protected. I'm sure I'll get naturally comfortable handling bees with after a getting more experience, I'm just not there yet.

Hope this helps.

Dave Kayser
_________________
Dave Kayser
dkayser@centurytel.net

worley76 · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 3 Location: Louisburg Missouri

Thanks guys I appreciate all the advice. I will definatly follow it. One last question. Where is a good place to buy equipment and can I get a kit that will include the essentials.

Rob Chance · Joined: 04 May 2009 Posts: 7 Location: Ste Genevieve Co

Drapers Super Bee
914 S. Street
Auburn, Nebraska 68305
(402) 274-3725

I like Drapers. They are cheaper on MOST equipment, and great people to deal with. They have no website, no fancy full-color catalog, just a small outfit that does a great job. They ship fast too. What really floored me though, my order got to my house before the bill did, and great customer service.

I really havent looked at the equipment in "kit form". Sorry I can't help much there.

On another note, in my post above, in the list of stuff you'll need, the frame grip is listed as "handy but not necessary". If 15 bucks wouldn't put ya over a barrel too bad..... I'd get one! I dropped a frame of bees today, they were pretty upset with me Rolling Eyes

and it could have been avoided. Rob