Being a beekeeper is a rewarding experience and an important step to help the environment. However, it’s important to equip yourself with the right tools to make sure you have all the basics required to look after your bees, produce honey, and more. In this article, we’ll explore the essential beekeeping equipment and tools every beekeeper needs.
1. Preparing for Beekeeping: Essential Equipment and Tools
Starting beekeeping is easy and fun. It’s important to start with the right equipment and tools. Without them, beekeeping can quickly become a headache.
The Basics: It’s wise to start with hives that are easy to manage and easy to maintain. A Langstroth Hive is a common choice, consisting of 10 frames and a few boxes. Additionally, the hive will need a stand and bottom board. Make sure to get weatherproofing material like paint or wax to cover the hive.
Tools: You’ll need some basic tools as well. A smoker to keep the bees calm, and a hive tool for scraping and cleaning the frames. Additionally, for protective gear, you’ll need a bee keeper’s suit, netting and gloves.
- Langstroth Hive: 10 frames, boxes, paint/wax, stand, bottom board.
- Tools: smoker, hive tool, bee keeper’s suit, netting, gloves.
That’s all you’ll need to start keeping bees. As you become more experienced, you might want to add in additional items like swarm boxes, observation hives, and honey extractors. But these are optional and can wait until you get more comfortable keeping bees.
2. Coveralls: Protection for the Beekeeper
Coveralls are an essential part of every beekeeper’s gear. Without them, beekeepers would be vulnerable to bee stings and other potential hazards while they work to protect honey bee populations.
The Design & Fit
- Coveralls come in different colors to choose from- white and yellow are the most popular for beekeeping.
- They are designed to be lightweight, durable, and most importantly, breathable – keeping beekeepers cool in the spring and hot summer months.
- The fit of the coveralls should be slightly loose; this will help keep the beekeeper from overheating and provide better protection from stings.
Additional Features
- Most coveralls come with an integral hood, designed to protect the head and face from stings.
- They also have a drawstring at the ankle to prevent stray bees from entering the coveralls.
- Some coveralls include “bee guards” – netting over the feet, ankles, and wrists. These guards prevent bees from getting between the coveralls and the beekeeper’s clothing.
No matter what style of coveralls you choose, it is of utmost importance that you purchase the right size and fit. Beekeeping coveralls should be loose enough to be comfortable and cool, yet snug enough to keep bees from getting through the fabric. By properly sizing and fitting your coveralls, you will be well-protected from any potential stings and hazards.
3. Hive Body: Providing Shelter for the Bees
Once the bees have built their entrance, comb and created a nice home for themselves, they need a safe, comfortable and cozy shelter in order to sustain their hive. Luckily, the beekeeper can provide them with such comfort with a variety of bee hive bodies for their colony.
Let’s take a closer look at the types of bee hive bodies available:
- Deep Body: As the name implies, this is the deepest of the bee hive body sizes and the most commonly used for honey production. This large body gives the bees plenty of space to store their honey, take breaks and fly in circles when they need a stretch.
- Medium Body: Shorter than its deep counterpart, it is still wide and spacious enough to provide shelter during winter months. This size is often used to gradually introduce beekeepers to beekeeping while keeping their first colony safe.
- Shallow Body: The smallest size out of all three, this body is mainly used to rear the young and the queen bee. Its small size also makes it a great option for travel or when harvesting honey.
Regardless of the type chosen, the beekeeper will need enough space for the bees to thrive and be productive. If too little room is provided, overcrowding issues and crises may arise due to scarce resources. On the flip side, too much empty space will make it more difficult for the bees to maintain their comfortable temperature.
The beekeeper should carefully analyze the condition of the hive before selecting the perfect hive body for the colony. Good administration will result in a colony full of happy, productive bees.
4. Hive Boxes: Storing Honey and Pollen
Hive boxes are essential components to keeping a colony of honeybees. With their help, beekeepers can collect honey, pollen and even create propolis. The boxes provide a safe place to store the honey and provide easy access when harvesting.
- Honeyboxes: Honeyboxes are used to house bee colonies and provide an ideal area to store honey. The boxes may vary in size and often feature an adjustable lid for easy access when scraping off the wax to collect the honey. Additionally, the sides will often have an extra layer to physically contain any spilled honey or wax.
- Pollen Boxes: Pollen Boxes capture the different types of pollen collected by worker bees. Pollen is extremely important for the nutrition of the hive, as it is made up of protein, minerals, and trace elements. Because pollen is extremely light and fragile, the pollen box is equipped with bottom-opening mesh and a bee escape, which allows bees to enter the box but not return to the hive.
- Propolis Boxes: Propolis is made up of a mix of plant resins, waxes and other substances. The gathered propolis can be stored in a propolis box, made of a non-porous material. This type of box is especially important for beekeepers starting out, as it can be used to contain propolis which can then be used to prevent diseases from entering the hives.
Beekeepers need to be mindful that their hives are stocked with the necessary hive boxes such as honey, pollen, and propolis boxes in order to properly start and maintain a thriving colony. With the help of these boxes, the beekeeper can easily collect honey and pollen, preventing the colony from getting exposed to more common and damaging diseases. Ultimately, it is a small investment that can maximize the productivity of the beehive.
5. Suits and Gloves: Keeping Out Stingers
When facing the threat of stings from bees, hornets, and other such biting insects, the best way to protect yourself is to cover up. Suits and gloves allow you to do just that – they keep the stings at bay and protect your skin. Here are five ways that they can help you out when it comes to dealing with an encounter with a stinger:
- A suit is always a great first line of defense – many suits designed for encounters with stinging bugs come in long sleeve and ankle-length varieties, both of which provide extensive coverage and can be tossed in the wash when you are done.
- Gloves protect your fingers, arms, and wrists from stings. Especially when you’re dealing with wasps and hornets, having a pair of elbow-length gloves can be a lifesaver. Most gloves are also waterproof and can keep you protected in the event of heavy rain.
- Choose your materials carefully. Some of the most sting-proof materials are canvas, coated leather, and thick rubber. Make sure you are getting something that is suited to your purpose; if you’re trying to keep out mosquitoes, thin rubber may not do the trick.
- Think bright and light. Some scientists have suggested that wearing bright-colored clothing can help repel some species of stinging insects – and lighter clothing is usually cooler too, a bonus in hot weather.
- Don’t forget about a hat. Stings to the head can be particularly dangerous, so a wide-brimmed hat is always a great idea.
In the end, suits and gloves offer an extra level of protection when dealing with stinging bugs. Even if you don’t think you’ll need them, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and throw on some extra layers.
6. Smoker: Pacifying the Bees
Smoking is an age-old practice used by beekeepers to pacify bees and to create a calm and peaceful atmosphere. Consisting of burning herbs and grasses, the smoke expelled helps to keep the bees quiet and prevents them from swarming.
Smokers are a tool often used by beekeepers to distract bees and release a steady cloud of smoke. A handheld bellows usually provides the airflow for the smoke and some even come with a fuel reservoir attached, so that it can be refilled with ease. It is important to keep a backup reserve of fuel just in case the smoker needs to be refilled.
- The Fuel Reserve: The fuel reserve should consist of combustible materials such as sawdust, dried plant material, or beeswax. Carbon-heavy items, such as charcoal or soot, should be avoided.
- The Type of Smoke: Beekeepers should select a smoke which produces that off-white plume, as that is believed to be more effective.
Smoking the hive is a delicate operation and should be carried out with caution. The smoke should be delivered in short, controlled bursts, and the beekeeper is encouraged to wear a veil. The veil is important as it helps to prevent the beekeeper from inhaling any of the smoke, as large amounts can be dangerous and can disrupt the beekeeper’s breathing.
7. Feeders: Supplying Nutrition to the Bees
Beekeepers provide nutritional supplements that supplement their bee’s own foraging efforts. There are several different types of bee feeders, each with their own benefits and drawbacks.
- Sugar syrup feeders are by far the most common type of bee feeders. They come in a variety of sizes and materials, and range from simple to complex designs. They are usually filled with an inverted sugar syrup made in the ratio of two parts water to one part granulated white sugar.
- Pollen patties are also a popular way to supplement the bees’ diets. They are made from a blend of pollen and other nutrients, and can be slipped between frames in close proximity to the bees. Pollen patties are a great way to provide essential proteins and fats to the bees.
- Protein feeders are made to provide a supplement in the form of an easily consumed protein that is often used during seasonal dearth when there is a lack of pollinated flowers. Protein feeders usually consist of a two-compartment feeder filled with a protein supplement, such as soy or sunflower seed. These feeders can be refilled in the hive and are great for bee health.
No matter the type of bee feeder, beekeepers should not rely solely on feeders to provide nutrition to their bees. While these feeds can be a great way to supplement the bees’ diets, foraging for food is essential for their health and wellbeing.
8. Extractor: Reaping the Rewards of Beekeeping
When it comes to beekeeping, one of the most rewarding parts of the job is the extraction process. This is when the beekeeper takes the honeycombs out of their hives and harvests the sweet, amber-coloured reward inside.
Aside from the delicious taste, harvesting honey offers a range of additional benefits. Not only will you feel a sense of satisfaction each time you harvest your own honey, but you will also be improving the environment around you in the process.
- You will be helping nearby plants and flowers flourish. According to bee experts, pollination is key for the proper growth of the plants in our vicinity.
- It’s also associated with increased output for crops grown for agricultural and commercial purposes.
- Additionally, regularly extracting honey from your hives will help keep the bees healthy, as the nectar they consume is in much higher abundance in the destination location.
Beekeepers also use the extracted honey to create a vast array of products. From lip balms, soaps, and skin moisturisers to honeycomb candy, candles and wax wraps, the possibilities are endless. The aroma and flavour of your hive’s honey can be distinctive, making it highly sought-after by customers.
When it comes to the harvesting of honey, there’s need for precision, experience and the appropriate gear. Don’t do it yourself if you haven’t been properly trained! If you’re new to beekeeping, remember to gather as much information as possible and find an experienced mentor who can guide you in the extraction process.
Whether you have the pleasure of owning a few beehives, or you’re just starting out on your beekeeping journey, it’s essential to make sure you have the right equipment and tools. With the right knowledge and supplies, even the newest beekeeper can soon be enjoying the many benefits of keeping bees, ensuring that these precious pollinators will be around for future generations to love.