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Beekeeping starter kits 

Are you just getting started in beekeeping but not sure what you need? Our beekeeping starter kits, ranging from 'Mini' to 'Deluxe', include everything you need as a beekeeper to get started with your bees.

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 items
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 items

What’s included in a beekeeper starter kit?

When beginning beekeepers ask me: "What do I need to start keeping bees?", I often say: "You can actually keep bees without fancy gear. It can be as simple as you want." Not the best sales pitch, of course, but it’s the truth.

I always say: you can keep bees in a banana box, because simplex hive frames fit in there perfectly. You can use a screwdriver as a hive tool, and a spray bottle or an old cleaning sprayer is handy to mist the bees and keep them calm. And beekeeping clothing? At minimum, a small hood or veil to keep bees off your face is beekeeping clothing you really shouldn’t skip.

That’s a perfectly fine way to start beekeeping. But it’s far more practical to work right away with a good set of beekeeping tools. Quality beekeeping tools are half the job when keeping bees. A beekeeping starter kit is practically indispensable, because it helps you get off to a flying start and ensures you always have the right beekeeping equipment at hand.

The minimal basics I always recommend for a beginning beekeeper in terms of tools are:

· A veil to protect your face.
· Beekeeping gloves for extra safety.
· A hive tool for loosening frames.
· A smoker to keep the bees calm.

Differences between beekeeping starter kits

Every beekeeper starter kit differs in composition. You can start with a ‘mini’ starter kit, but there are also more comprehensive beekeeping start sets available. The contents largely determine the price.

· Small or 'mini' beekeeping starter kit: Contains the essentials, but you’ll probably need to buy extra equipment later.
· Comprehensive or 'deluxe' beekeeping starter kit: You’re fully prepared from day one and will likely need to buy fewer extras later.

Every beekeeping starter set has its own features, but at the core they mainly differ in how complete they are. You can hardly go wrong when buying a starter kit, because your hobby will naturally expand. For example, you might choose a small kit now with only a veil and later purchase a beekeeper jacket. That veil will definitely be appreciated by friends when they want to look inside your hive. Or you buy a full beekeeping starter kit right away and are 100% prepared. You can always add more beekeeping gear later.

Quality vs price in beekeeping starter kits

All products in the beekeeping starter sets are carefully curated to offer excellent value for money. This means you get solid beekeeping equipment without compromising on quality. We want you, as a beginner, to have a strong foundation of beekeeping supplies and to start beekeeping without any issues. Your beekeeping journey should get a flying start!

Which beekeeping starter kit do we recommend?

We always recommend a kit with a round hood if you’re a beginner. This type of hood is easier to put on and keeps the bees a bit further from your face. That’s often more comfortable for new beekeepers.

You can choose a less comprehensive or a more extensive kit, depending on your budget. In practice, once you start, you’ll soon want or need more gear as your hobby grows. Any extra clothing you end up with will often be worn by friends or family who help or want to watch.

I’m no longer a beginner. Is a starter kit still useful?

Even for experienced beekeepers, beekeeping starter kits can be a handy addition. You can never have enough good beekeeping tools and equipment. By buying a beekeeping starter kit, you’re up to date again with all the products you need. It’s also often a cost-effective choice, because starter kits are offered as sets and are therefore cheaper than buying items separately.

Besides beekeeping starter kits, we also have special kits for making hive frames for your beehive. Making frames isn’t difficult, but you do need some tools, such as:

· Eyelets, stainless steel wire, and a small transformer for embedding beeswax foundation.
· An awl for setting eyelets.
· A zigzag or crimping tool, also called a wire tensioner, to tension the wire in the frames properly.

For this we also offer a deluxe frame-making starter kit for the beekeeper, so you can easily make frames for your beehive with the right materials.

Educational books for beginners alongside your beekeeping starter kit

In addition to a beekeeping starter set with essentials, it can also be useful to purchase some educational materials. This helps you start well prepared. We recommend a few books for beginning beekeepers:

· "First aid for beekeeping" – This book covers 100 common problems in and around the beehive.
· "Beekeeping, how do you do it?" – A technical book that clearly explains all steps of the beekeeping year.
· "My first beehive?" – Offers an excellent, step-by-step guide to get started with beekeeping.

Beehives alongside the starter kit

Besides a starter kit, you’ll of course also need a beehive. There are different types of beehives. We recommend choosing a hive with the same frame size as the hives used by your beekeeping association or mentor. This makes it easier to exchange frames if needed.

A good basic hive to start with is a pine spaarkast, available in a wooden version or in Segeberger (polystyrene), or our spaarkast polystyrene beehive, ready-painted and super sturdy. These hives are sold as a set or as separate components, so you can be sure you receive a complete beehive.

With a good beekeeping starter kit, the right beehive, and sufficient knowledge, you’re all set to start beekeeping successfully!


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