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Getting started in beekeeping

"A Simple Guide to start your beekeeping journey"

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To get started in your own beekeeping journey, you only need the 6 following things:

1. Bees:

  • I recommend starting with a Nucleus colony. 

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  • A Nucleus Colony, also known as a "Nuc," represents a smaller, self-contained bee colony, containing a queen bee, her worker bees, brood, and the necessary resources such as honey, pollen. When buying a Nuc, you want to make sure the frame size fits inside your beehive which you are buying

2. Beehive:

  • I recommend a British National hive. The British Standard National hive is the most commonly used beehive in the U.K. and Ireland. The history is a bit vague, but it seems to have been introduced around 1920, or slightly before. The design is still popular in the 2020's amongst hobbyist and bee farmers.

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3. Hive Tool:

  • Essential for hive inspections and maintenance. My favourite in the J-hook hive tool.

    • The J-Hook Hive Tool is like the Swiss Army knife for beekeepers. Shaped like a 'J', it's your go-to tool for effortlessly prying open beehive boxes and frames. This tool helps with lifting frames and scraping away sticky propolis and wax, making hive inspections and maintenance easier. 

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4. Bee Feeder:

  • There are many different types of feeders, for your first hive I recommend a rapid feeder. Typically holds 2 litres of syrup. This allows you to feed the your honeybees in times where there is a nectar dearth (No incoming nectar for the bees to eat)

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5. Bee Suit:

  • Invest in a beekeeping suit, for safety during beekeeping tasks. I recommend a full suit. Having a full suit gives you the confidence to get your colony inspections done, no matter the weather.

6. Smoker:

  • A bee smoker is a device used to calm the bees before and during your inspections. Inside a colony there can be up to 60,000 honeybees, so utilizing a smoker to calm the bees and make your inspection easier is a must have device

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With these 6 items, you are ready to start your beekeeping journey.

 

Additional Tips for new Beekeepers

(Click on the below links to be re-directed to the pages to learn more):

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Any questions with regards to becoming a beekeeper, don't hesitate to contact us, we have helped over 100 people become beekeepers (as of spring 2023)

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