Beehive Starter Kits for Beginners
If you are new to the process, the idea of gathering all the necessary beekeeping equipment and tools can seem rather daunting. This is why the idea of choosing a beehive starter kit is so appealing. Surely a beginner’s beekeeping kit with all the basics is a good investment. Well, they certainly can be a good start-but there are some drawbacks as well. Lets look closely at the pros and cons of buying a beehive starter kit versus choosing individual items individually.
As you prepare for your new honey bees, you know that some items must be ready before they arrive. They need a home. But, with so many different types of beehives available – choosing what to buy can be difficult.
Beehive Starter Kits: Exploring Pros and Cons
Lets add to the confusion a bit more-before we attempt to make your decision easier. You will find many different styles of beginner kits for sale.
Most of the kits will be put together around the Langstroth Hive method. This box style hive system is the one most commonly recommended for beginner beekeepers. But, even these come in different sizes (10 frame vs 8 frame).
Along with the starter boxes for the new beehive, expect to receive a few basic tools: 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
There are some undeniable advantages to beginning your adventure with a beekeeping kit. This makes them a popular gift for a new beekeeper.
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Convenience
Kits are valued because they bundle together essential components. This saves time and effort because you don’t have to make a 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 is a factor to think about. 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.
The same is true for the 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
No method of acquiring beekeeping start up materials is perfect for everyone. Likewise, there are some cons to choosing a kit for your new hobby.
Limited Choices
When a beekeeper buys the individual parts of a beehive, they have more control over customization.
Perhaps, you would rather not have plastic beehive foundation in your hive. Even though installing beeswax foundation can be a pain – some beekeepers 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 be not be very durable.
When you are shopping for a beekeeping bundle, look closely at the reviews of the manufacturer or seller.
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 new 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.
Mann Lake Complete Bee Hive Kit, Fully Assembled Bee Hive Starter Set with Hive Body & 10 Frames
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 beehive and tools that you think you want – it can be a great way to get started and save some money.
One of the most important issues is to choose a kit that has the size and type of hive design that you want. Otherwise, when it comes time to add another super or box to the hive or buy new frames – things won’t fit. Carefully weigh the pros and cons as you make your decision.