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Equipment needs to start beekeeping and the approximate costs.
(costs shown are meant to be representative and may be higher or lower depending on where you buy them.
February 2008

      
General needs:          
               
 
Smoker
$ 32.00
*Bee suit
$ 38.00
Veil
$ 11.00
Helmet
$ 10.00
Hive tool
$ 3.00
*Gloves
$ 10.00
*Bee brush
$ 4.00
*Leg straps
$ 2.50
Total General
$ 56.00 - $110.50
 
               

* indicates suggested but optional equipment
   
Per colony needs: first year (quantity) second year (quantity)
Hive stand
$ 9.00
$ 9.00
Bottom board & Entrance reducer
$ 10.00
$ 10.00
Deep hive bodies with rabbets
(3) $ 36.00
(2) $ 24.00
Deep frames & foundation
(30) $ 50.00
(20) $ 33.00
Inner cover
$ 8.00
$ 8.00
Telescoping cover
$ 13.00
$ 13.00
Moisture board
$ 5.00
Winter cover pack
$ 10.00
Feeder pail
$ 4.50
*Medium super (for feeder)
$ 8.00
*Queen excluder
$ 6.00
$ 6.00
1-5 medium super (for honey)**
$ 8.00 - 40.00
$ 8.00 - 40.00
10-50 medium frames & foundation**
$ 15.00 - 75.00
$ 15.00 - 75.00
2# Package of bees
$ 47.00 - 60.00
Total per colony
$229.50 - $334.50
$126.00 - $218.00
**number needed depends on the honey crop    
   

   
Sugar Syrup
variable
Pollen Substitute (5# 2-5 colonies)
$ 10.00
 
If you get a honey crop from your bees you will need to have honey extracting equipment. You may be able to rent this equipment, or work with another beekeeper to use theirs, or hire someone to extract for you. If you buy new equipment, you can get a small manual extracting setup for as little as $300.00.
We do not recommend purchasing used equipment for your colonies if you are a new beekeeper and can not judge if there are disease concerns. Extracting equipment can be purchased used without concern for disease.
If you wish to keep bees, it is recommended that you take a course on beekeeping offered at the University of Minnesota, Department of Entomology (612) 624-3636. Further you should read books and periodicals on beekeeping and join a beekeeping group.		  
           
 

The views and opinions expressed in this page are strictly those of the page author.
The contents of this page have not been reviewed or approved by the University of Minnesota.