How Much Does It Cost To Start Beekeeping? (Updated for 2023 Season)
The minimum cost to start beekeeping with one beehive is about $725 for the first year. Choices you make can have a large impact. Check out our cost calculator to help you budget.
Do Honey Bees Sting?
Yes, They Do
(What You Should Know)
As a beekeeper you will get stung. Prepare yourself with protective gear and know what to do when you are stung.
Protect Beehives From Bears
(How To Set Up An Electric Fence)
Bears can wreak havoc on your bees and hives. An electric fence is the best way to protect your apiary. This is how electric fences work and how to set one up.
Why Are Bee Suits White? (Bee Suits Can Be Other Colors!)
Bee suits are white because honey bees are reputed to dislike dark colors as a defense mechanism against predators such as bears, raccoons, and skunks. Equally important, white absorb less heat from the summer sun than darker colors, making whites suits more comfortable for the beekeeper than a darker suit.
What Is Treatment-Free Beekeeping? (A Controversial Topic)
Treatment-free beekeepers use no chemicals and limit human intervention in an effort to produce genetically strong colonies and avoid adverse side effects.
Beekeeping On A Budget
(Money Saving Tips)
Beginning beekeeping can get rather expensive. Here are some suggestions on how to grow your apiary without breaking your bank account.
How To Start Beekeeping (A Complete Guide)
Follow our steps on how to start beekeeping and avoid many of the issues that discourage beginning beekeepers.
What Is A Beehive? (A Home For Honey Bees)
A beehive is a manufactured structure that mimics a natural honey bee nesting site. Beekeepers use them to manage honey bees and harvest hive products like honey. Bee hives are typically made of wood though other materials may be used. Beehives consist of either vertically stacked boxes or a single, horizontal cavity.
Where To Buy Bees | A Beginner’s Guide To Buying Honey Bees
You can buy honey bees for pick up from local beekeepers or distributors. Online suppliers will ship bees to you. You can trap a swarm to get free bees, though we do not recommend it for beginners. Reputable local beekeepers are the best source for honey bees. You can buy starter colonies or mated queens.
Best Bee Smoker Fuels | Fuels For Smoking Bees
The best bee smoker fuels are nontoxic organic items that smolder and do not burn quickly. Many options are free (or cheap), including cotton fibers, burlap, dry pine needles or grass, and herbs. Suppliers sell fuel. Never use chemicals, treated material, plastic, or rubber that can harm you or the bees.
