Starter Bee Keeping Sets?

[Shortie]

Hi all

I'm looking for a starter Bee Keeping set for my Dad. I've only seen 2 on Wiggly Wrigglers (around �30), but I always like to compare places before I buy.

Does anyone know any other companies that sell them? I'm sure I saw loads when I looked ast year but I must be putting the search in wrongly or something as I can't find anything....

Ta

[Earthbabe]

Bee kit

What exactly are you looking for Shortie? A new national hive will set you back about �150-200 and then you need a swarm, bee suit and hat and veil, smoker, etc. There are other hives available such as the Dartington long hive which reduces the need to lift heavy supers and brood boxes.

Have you tried contacting your local beekeeping association for info/advice?

Sometimes you can get hold of second hand kit from established beekeepers who are downsizing but you do need to be sure of its provenance and that there has been no disease in that hive.

[dexterdoglancashire]

What a super idea! I'd love to keep bees but to be honest, they frighten the life out of me! Dexterdog

[Alice]

Shortie, have a google under bee keeping equipment. There's loads there, but here's a link.
Bee keeping equipment

[Digger-07]

I use www.thorne.co.uk for some equipment, there are many more. If you go to your local library they usually have the details of the local British Beekeepers Association group.

Meetings are usually held throughout the year, indoors in winter and at someones apiary in the summer. You will get loads of friendly advice, hands on experience of handling bees and usually the chance to pick up equipment and even a small colony which is easier to handle and look after than picking up a swarm.

They will also be able to look at where you want to put the hive and they usually have equipment which you can borrow at harvest time. You are looking at over 40lb of honey from each colony.

Joining the local group will also give you insurance cover, not just for damage to other people but for diseases and damage to your bees.

It's a great hobby.

[Shortie]

Cheers all. I'm only looking for one on those teeny weenie ones though. Just for a back agrden. My Dad absolutely LOVES bees...

[madderbat]

I found these sites back end of last year when i was exploring the idea, may be of some use

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Beekeeping/

http://www.beekeeping.co.uk/beekeepers_guide.htm

http://www.bbka.org.uk/starting.php

[ChrisB]

Hi all

I'm looking for a starter Bee Keeping set for my Dad. I've only seen 2 on Wiggly Wrigglers (around �30), but I always like to compare places before I buy.

Does anyone know any other companies that sell them? I'm sure I saw loads when I looked ast year but I must be putting the search in wrongly or something as I can't find anything....

Ta

Hi Shortie

If you find what you are looking for could you point me in the same direction.

This sounds wonderful, have always wanted to keep bees but don't have time, this would be the next best thing

[Shortie]

Sure will do ChrisB

[NOG]

You would be best to join the local Bee Keeping club....you will need help and advice. and a spare hive cos if your bees get happy or unhappy in their hive they will multiply and swarm or just swarm and you will have a garden full of bees.

If you are a member of a club they will help you out. If you are on your own you will have a garden full of bees.

[ChrisB]

Shortie

Are these the sort of things you're looking for

http://www.wildlifeshop.co.uk/?gclid...FRgnEAodfnqd3g

Assuming the link works, you should go to the insect homes

Otherwise have a root around the site under the insect section

[JennieAtkinson]

Like Digger I get supplies from Thornes and they are very good but not sure that they do bee kits, but its a very good site and may be worth a try. If you need to talke to them they are very friendly and give out alot of advice.

[Shortie]

Thanks all. ChrisB that looks like the kind of wildlife things I'm after, cheers

I'll mention to my Dad about joining an association too

[Digger-07]

Cheers all. I'm only looking for one on those teeny weenie ones though. Just for a back agrden. My Dad absolutely LOVES bees...

Are you thinking of one with just a few frames and maybe a glass side? These are either nucleus hives or observation hives. Neither have enough bees to be self sustaining and would die out completely over the winter. because of this they need a lot of work to keep them happy, otherwise the queen will look for a new home and all your stock will dissapear in 10 minutes.

Honey bees are social insects and need a fairly large number to be able to survive. I have only seen observation hives at shows when the frames have been removed from a strong colony in a operation to requeen one of the colonies. Nucleus hives are used for breeding queens or for swarm control - neither of which are "beginners" sort of jobs.

Good luck with your quest I hope that you find what you're looking for. If not join the happy band of apiarists and have a go.

[Shortie]

Cheers digger.. I was surprisd to fin you can buy small bumble bee nests as I've always seen them as large colony insects. I originally thought he wanted a mason bee nest as they are solitary anyway, but he want's bumble..

Maybe I'll halt for a bit and speak to an association while he's on holiday to get a better idea. I'd hate to think that by trying to help them out we;d be doing more harm!