Beehive Starter Kits
For novice beekeepers, gathering all the equipment and tools for a new hive can seem rather daunting. This is why the idea of choosing a beehive starter kit is so appealing. They offer a convenient and cost-effective way to start your beekeeping journey. However, there are some drawbacks to using kits too. In this article, I will guide you through the pros and cons of buying a beekeeping starter kit because they are not all created equal.
As a beginner beekeeper, I researched which items I would need before my bees arrived. And, I am glad that I did. With so many different types of beehives, tool options, etc available – choosing what to buy can be difficult.
What is a Beekeeping Kit?
Beekeeping kits are prepackaged bundles that give you the essential components needed to set up a new beehive.
Most of the beekeeping kits will be put together around the Langstroth Hive method. This box style hive system is the one most commonly recommended for beginner beekeepers.
Typically a beehive kit contains:
- hive body and frames (usually foundation for frames) – first box to welcome your new colony
- bottom board and inner and outer cover
- basic beekeeping tools
The basic tools include a bee smoker and a standard hive tool at minimum. Hopefully, your kit will contain some beekeeping clothing (at least a hat/veil combination).
Pros of Choosing a Kit
There are some advantages to beginning your adventure with a beekeeping kit. It offers a hassle free way to ensure that the various parts all fit together – you don’t have to worry about buying the wrong thing. This also makes them a popular gift for beekeepers just starting out.
Convenience
Because they bundle together essential components. Choosing a kit saves time and effort because you don’t have to make an individual decision for each item.
Not knowing what you need is a common issue for those new to beekeeping, with a kit you can be assured of getting some useful items that you may not know you need.
Costs Savings
There is no denying that the cost of beekeeping startup can be staggering. Sometimes, purchasing a beehive starter kit can save you money.
As with any bundle purchase, the price may be less that it would be if you purchased everything separately. Also, suppliers occasionally offer special discounts on packaged kits during the height of bee season.
Extra Guidance
Depending on the supplier, your starter kit may contain some valuable information on hive set up. This is a major benefit for beginners who lack experience in installing a package of bees or other beekeeping techniques.
Compatibility
All beginner kits are designed to have parts that fit well together. For instance, you will receive the correct size frames that fit in the boxes included in your kit.
The same is true for the beehive foundations that fit into the frames. Everything should fit together. This is a big help as it removes some of the guesswork that beginners often struggle with while assembling their hives.
Cons or Drawbacks
No method of acquiring beekeeping start up materials is perfect for everyone. Likewise, there are some cons to choosing a beehive kit for your new hobby.
Limited Choices
When a beekeeper buys the individual parts of a beehive, they have more control over customization. You make the decisions.
Perhaps, you would rather not have plastic beehive foundation in your hive. Though they work fine, some folks wish to take a more natural approach to beekeeping.
Even though installing beeswax foundation can be a pain – some beekeepers (like me) prefer it to plastic. Yet, many kits come with plastic foundation and frames that work best with plastic.
If you want specific brands of equipment or specific types, you may have to shop around to attempt to find a kit that fits your desires.
Quality Issues
With the increased interest in beekeeping, the market has become flooded with “cheap bee stuff”. It’s not always cheap in price but the quality of the items included may not be very durable.
When you are shopping for a beekeeping kit, look closely at the reviews of the manufacturer or seller. Only order from those with good reviews as they are more likely to have quality goods.
Unneeded Items
One of the major cons of using beekeeping kits in my opinion is the unnecessary extras. In some cases, sellers throw in inexpensive items to make the bundle look impressive. However, they are often items that beginner beekeepers will never use.
Take the time to investigate the individual items in the kit that you want to purpose. If they look interesting, no harm in giving them a try.
However, don’t let an array of “fluff” lure you into a bad purchase. It is also possible to purchase a couple of quality “mini-kits” to ultimately get the items you want.
Key Features to Look for In a Beehive Kit
These are some things to consider as you compare the various kits on the market.
- wood or plastic? – which material do you prefer
- how many accessories are included – frames and foundation or just frames (you choose the foundation)
- is it already assembled or will you put it together
- quality of materials – (especially important for tools and gadgets often included)
Best Beehive Kits for Beginners – Recommendations
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If you can go to a bee supply and check out the kit in person, that is the best way. However, not everyone has this advantage. Therefore, here are a couple of ideas to consider.
Top Pick
A product such as this, gives you quality hive components to start your first hive. The needed tools you would choose and buy separately. This allows you to customize the kit.
FAQs
A beginner beekeeping kit is a bundle of necessary equipment and tools for a new beekeeper to start a hive. It includes the basic components of a beehive plus essential beekeeping tools and protective gear.
Generally, beekeeping starter kits offer very limited customization. However, if they do offer variations or add-ons this is very beneficial.
Buying a beginner beekeeping kit can be a cost effective purchase over buying each item individually. But, it is not always the cheapest option.
Yes, you absolutely can expand the hive setup. Your colony will grow and you will need to add more boxes. Pay attention to the sizes of the boxes included in your kit so you can purchase more of the correct size.
Final Thoughts
Whether or not getting a beehive starter kit is a good choice for you depends on several factors. If you can find one that has the type of boxes and tools that you want – it can be a great way to get started and save some money. But, carefully weigh the pros and cons as you make your decision or you may end up with a lot of “stuff” you don’t need.