I started beekeeping 2 years ago, and I cannot be any happier about this hobby. It's easy and fun. Bees do not require feeding, cleaning, just an occasional check up. And they give my family the best honey the money can buy.
Then I ordered the following list of supplies. (I buy all my equipment from Mann Lake. $100+ it's free shipping. http://mannlakeltd.com/)
This is a list I recommend:
Note that the hive boxes and frames, are unassembled. Mann lake does have assembled hives. Assembly is easy, and I did it with my kids.
1) WW-605_b Med Hive Qty. 5
2) FR-811 Med Frames Case of 10. Qty. 5 (so you get 50 frames)
3) CV-305 Suit - economy - Medium (Buy YOUR size.) Qty. 1
4) HD-540 Smoker Qty. 1
5) CL-620 Economy cowhide leather gloves(Buy YOUR size. This is small) Qty. 1
6) HD-210 7D Nails (1lb) Qty. 1
7) HD-220 Frame Nails Qty. 1
8) HD-620 Hive tool
9) HD-660 Bee Brush
10) WW-310 Bottom Board
11) Your choice of top cover (buy with Inner cover)... http://www.mannlakeltd.com/beekeeping-supplies/page29.html I practice foundationless but some prefer not to deal with the cross comb headaches and use foundation. Foundation part number is (FN-720).
I also joined Beekeepers' Guild Of San Mateo County (http://www.sanmateobeeguild.org/). The club is great: the mailing list discussions keep me informed about things to do right now, and what to do to prepare for upcoming seasons.
To start, I read (believe it or not) Beeking for Dummies (http://www.amazon.com/Beekeeping-For-Dummies-Howland-Blackis...). It's a well rated book, and it has all the basic info. Then I watched various YouTube videos.
Then I ordered the following list of supplies. (I buy all my equipment from Mann Lake. $100+ it's free shipping. http://mannlakeltd.com/)
This is a list I recommend:
Note that the hive boxes and frames, are unassembled. Mann lake does have assembled hives. Assembly is easy, and I did it with my kids.
1) WW-605_b Med Hive Qty. 5 2) FR-811 Med Frames Case of 10. Qty. 5 (so you get 50 frames) 3) CV-305 Suit - economy - Medium (Buy YOUR size.) Qty. 1 4) HD-540 Smoker Qty. 1 5) CL-620 Economy cowhide leather gloves(Buy YOUR size. This is small) Qty. 1 6) HD-210 7D Nails (1lb) Qty. 1 7) HD-220 Frame Nails Qty. 1 8) HD-620 Hive tool 9) HD-660 Bee Brush 10) WW-310 Bottom Board 11) Your choice of top cover (buy with Inner cover)... http://www.mannlakeltd.com/beekeeping-supplies/page29.html I practice foundationless but some prefer not to deal with the cross comb headaches and use foundation. Foundation part number is (FN-720).
I adopted my hive from Jack at Los Altos Honey Bees (http://losaltoshoneybees.wordpress.com/). He goes and rescues feral colonies.
I also joined Beekeepers' Guild Of San Mateo County (http://www.sanmateobeeguild.org/). The club is great: the mailing list discussions keep me informed about things to do right now, and what to do to prepare for upcoming seasons.