Beekeeping starter kits 

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

Showing 1 - 7 of 7 items
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 items

What’s in a beekeeping starter kit?

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

I always say: you can keep bees in a banana box, because the simplex hive frames fit in it perfectly. You can use a screwdriver as a hive tool, and a spray bottle or an old cleaning sprayer is handy to lightly mist the bees and keep them calm. And beekeeping clothing? Even a small hood or veil to keep bees off your face is really beekeeping clothing you can’t do without.

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

The minimal basics I always recommend for a new beekeeper 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 beekeeping starter kit differs in composition. You can start with a ‘mini’ starter kit, but more comprehensive beekeeping starter sets are also available. The contents largely determine the price.

· Small or ‘mini’ beekeeping starter kit: Includes the essentials, but you’ll likely need to buy additional items later.
· Extended or ‘deluxe’ beekeeping starter kit: You’re fully prepared from the start and will likely need fewer additional beekeeping supplies later.

Each beekeeping starter set has its own features, but essentially they mainly differ in how complete they are. You can hardly go wrong when buying a starter kit, because your hobby naturally grows. For example, you might choose a small kit with just a veil now and add a beekeeping jacket later. Friends will be happy to wear that veil when they come along to look in your hive. Or you can buy a complete beekeeping starter kit right away and be 100% prepared from the start. You can always add more beekeeping supplies later.

Quality versus price for beekeeping starter kits

All products in the beekeeping starter sets are carefully selected to deliver an excellent price–quality ratio. This means you get reliable beekeeping equipment without compromising on quality. We want you, as a beginner, to have a solid set of beekeeping essentials right away and to start beekeeping without issues. Your beekeeping adventure 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 farther from your face. That’s often more comfortable for new beekeepers.

You can choose a more basic or more comprehensive kit depending on your budget. In practice you’ll find that once you start, you’ll quickly want or need more gear as your hobby grows. Any extra clothing you have will often be worn by friends or family who help or come to watch.

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

Beekeeping starter kits can also be a useful addition for experienced beekeepers. You can never have too many quality beekeeping tools and equipment. By purchasing a beekeeping starter kit, you’ll be up to date again with the products you need. It’s often a cost-effective choice too, because starter kits are offered as bundles and are therefore cheaper than buying items separately.

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

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

For this we also offer the ‘deluxe’ hive frame making starter kit for beekeepers, so you can easily make frames for your beehive with the right materials.

Educational books for beginners alongside the beekeeping starter kit

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

· "Eerste hulp bij imkeren" – This book covers 100 common problems in and around the beehive.
· "Bijenhouden, hoe doe je dat?" – A technical book that clearly explains all stages of the beekeeping year.
· "Mijn eerste bijenkast?" – Offers an excellent, step-by-step guide to getting 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 solid entry-level hive to start with is a pine spaarkast, available in a wooden version or in Segeberger (polystyrene), or our spaarkast polystyrene beehive, pre-painted and very robust. These hives are sold as sets 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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