Raising honey bees for fun or profit is interesting and rewarding. There are 3 beekeeper supplies that you can't live without whether you are very experienced or just starting out.
The first thing you will need is a place for your bees to live - their hive(s). You can build the hives yourself, or you can find a place where there are quality bee hives for sale at good prices. They are both good options.
If you build the hives on your own, make sure that you follow plans to build them from. Bees are fairly particular about the spacing in their homes, so following a good set of building instructions is your best bet.
If you buy a hive instead of building one, then you should be sure that you buy from a reputable dealer who specializes in beekeeper supplies. You want to look for a hive that has a removable frame. There are other types available, but this is the best and easiest to use.
The next thing you need to get is protective gear. The reason that you want to wear protective clothing is because it keeps you from getting stung when you handle the bee hive and bees. The best gear for beekeeping is light colored and smooth. Also, make sure that your face and neck are protected by a hat and veil.
The last essential thing you need as a beekeeper is a smoker. Smokers come in variety of sizes and usually burn natural substances like rotten wood or corrugated cardboard. The smoke will calm the bees down so that you can more easily handle the hive.
A popular alternative to the smoker is "liquid smoke" which you can spray on the bees from a plastic spray bottle.
While there are many more beekeeper supplies available these are the three essential ones.
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