First Shopping list
This page can serve as a checklist to help new beekeepers with placing their initial order from our beekeeping store. Items that are marked with an * can often be purchased locally at a hardware or big box store, but we also offer them for your convenience.
First, here are the bare necessities you'll need to get started:
At least one Beehive.
A hivetop feeder for each of your hives (unless you choose to jar feed, which will only require an extra hive body. This is discussed in the feeder video).
*Brad driver (for both top bar installation and frame assembly)
*Artist’s brush (for applying beeswax to the top bars or frame comb guides)
Essential beekeeping gear
*Spar urethane (for hivetop feeder prep only)
Should you choose to do the assembly, you'll need *wood glue for assembling your hives and/or frames.
*Simpson speed square (for assembling frames if you choose to use them)
*Tack hammer (for assembling frames if you choose to use them)
Beeswax and foundation (May be needed if you’re using frames, depending on how you choose to set them up. See the Frame Assembly Video for more information)
Some non-essential items that people frequently include in their initial order are:
Digital Hive Scale (Very helpful! I almost included this with the bare necessities)
As you can see, we offer everything you’ll need to keep bees except for the bees themselves. You can find a couple of packaged bee suppliers on our links page. Regardless of where you’ll get your bees, get them ordered right away because they sell out fast each spring.