Making investments in equipment and supplies

In Beekeeping for Dummies, they list a bunch of vendors where one can purchase equipment.  I also looked on the internet and one site often led me to another site but in the end, I went with one of the bigger outfits, Mann Lake because, for one reason, I liked that all the staff were part owners of the business.  They also ha an easy website to navigate and had all I needed.

I started by purchasing the hives so that I could get them painted this winter. They now have one coat of primer and  two coats of exterior paint. I kept them white, which is the norm, apparently, but one local beekeeper has his painted black and he and his wife have been very successful.

Here's my setup where it sits in my basement waiting for April when my bees arrive.

I went with a 10 frame traditional growing Apiary Kit with wood frames and something called an excluder which keeps the queen from going into parts of the hive where you don't want her to go. 

I also purchased a top hive feeder that you fill with sugar water to feed the hive in the early spring...and when there is not enough honey for them to eat.  Cost for these pieces was about $262.  I've been told to not buy used hives because they could easily contain diseases and you must be very careful ...maybe someday I'd feel comfortable doing so from particular apiaries, but not this first year.  I also chose wood frames rather than plastic...just for the natural aspect.

It'll be interesting to see how many mistakes I'll make over time and if my choices work out!

The next order that went in, again, I used Mann Lake, was for a smoker, hat (helmet) and veil, a mouse guard, and a medicine kit....and a hive tool which is the second image below. The hive tool is used to pry open the hive or frames when the honey has stuck things together.  I"m told this is a mandatory item. It looks like a carpenter's tool and I thought about substituting with one I have in my toolbox.  This second order  cost me a little over $100.

Smoker

hive tool

Hat...somewhat hard

Mouse guard

veil with hat in background

Next time, I'll discuss the bee order.

Starting out

I should have really started this blog late fall last year when I began thinking of becoming a beekeeper. I started out by thinking it might be really good for the garden.  I was also using honey every day in my coffee, having switched from sugar. I had learned about the benefits of honey. I knew how great  bees can be in the garden, and I wanted to build more gardens and expand those already started.  I also wanted to add a few apple trees to the yard. So bees on the property could benefit me in many ways.

I'm also hoping to retire someday although not for several years most likely given the economic situations.  But when I do retire, I'd love to have a side business where I can sell honey, fresh herbs, and cut flowers and perhaps some homemade bread items. So starting now, I can build for my retirement and in the meantime, get a lot of enjoyment along the way.

But let's not lose sight that this venture is helping the environment. With bee populations disappearing, we need more beekeepers so that we continue to produce good crops. Without bees, you just can't get good crops so it's critical.

One of my friends, when I told her about this venture, just looked at me with a stone face, and said "you're crazy!"  Ok...a few days later, she also sent me an article in the Boston Globe about another crazy lady who has made a nice business for herself in the Boston area. All of a sudden, it didn't seem so crazy.  But I'm getting way ahead of myself.  I don't even have bees yet!

Starting with Becoming a Beekeeper for Dummies was a good idea. I had attended a beekeeping lecture last fall and after that, I decided to seriously explore becoming a beekeeper! The folks over in Swanzy, NH had recommended the book so I went out and bought it.  At that point, I was just researching and wanted to understand what was involved...including startup costs. About halfway through the book I had decided to do this and I wasn't going to wait.  I wanted to start it this spring.

My next post will talk about what I've done to get ready for when the bees arrive in mid to late April.