The Supplies Needed To Become A Backyard Bee Keeper

Bees

What you need to become a backyard bee keeper.

Last week I shared Our Journey To Becoming Backyard Bee Keepers, in case you missed it. This week I wanted to follow up with the supplies needed to become a backyard bee keeper.

This made all the difference for us when we dove into backyard bee keeping.

If you read last weeks post then you know we worked with a local bee keeper who helped us get started. This made all the difference for us when we dove into backyard bee keeping. Its easy to get overwhelmed with all that you need to get started. You may even talk yourself out of supplies because of the costs. I don’t want you to do that. I want you to think of me as your local bee keeper, coming over and explaining all the steps.

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I know this is a no brainer but make sure you purchase your hive box first and allow yourself to unbox the hive.

Before purchasing any live bees you should have a hive box. Live bees ship when they are ready. They don’t wait on your hive box to come in first. I know this is a no brainer but make sure you purchase your hive box first and allow yourself to unbox the hive. Go over all the supplies, Youtube anything you are unsure of. If you are working on a tight budget, I recommend purchasing your hive box around summer. Then purchase your bee suits in the fall or winter and purchase you live bees in the spring.

Keep in mind where your hive will live.

The hive will need to be off the ground to help protect it from insects like ants or rodents that want to get in. We used four cinder blocks but you only need two to keep the hive off the ground. You could also purchase a hive stand. Keep in mind where your hive will live. You’ll want to make sure it’s protected and a little hidden. Ours is nested in a little spot just behind a fallen Joshua tree. You’ll also want to make sure there isn’t a lot of traffic around them. This will only agitate the bees, making them defensive.