GETTING STARTED IN BEEKEEPING
THINGS TO CONSIDER Level of commitment Cost Location/Liability Equipment Resources
ARE YOU COMMITTED? Time Physical work Getting discouraged/frustrations Willingness to educate yourself
COST $$$$
LOCATION Liability Neighbors Children/pets Town ordinances Sunny location with water
Basic Equipment Needed Hive Tool Smoker & Fuel Gloves Bee Suit / Veil
THE HIVE AND ITS PARTS
How To Get Bees Buy an Established Hive Buy a Nuc Buy a Package Catch a swarm Take Bees Out of Something
Buy An Established Hive Turn Key–Ready to Go Costs Usually Less May Include Honey Best Chance of Making Honey Crop No Assembly Req.
Buy A Nuc Small Population to Start With Cost the Same as Packages Builds Up Faster Than Package/Swarm Good Chance of Making Honey Crop
Buy A Package Certified as disease free Small Population to Start With No Swarming Usually First Year
Catch A Swarm Healthy eager bees Small population to start with Usually easy to handle Free
Mail Order Swarms
Ask and Do Read a Bee Book Ask many Beekeepers Questions & Listen to Fish Tales Go to Bee Meetings & Workshops Get your Hands Sticky Tell Your Own Fish Tales