Equipment Needed
February 2013 ~ I ordered a smoker, a bee crossing sign for my gate, and some top bar hive beekeeping books from www.Amazon.com
I researched a lot about what type of Beesuit to buy or if I even needed one at all. I finally decided to buy the best (and most expensive) on the market. I REALLY don't like the idea of being stung. Go figure! Since it's usually going to be pretty warm here in Texas when I am out with bees, I decided to get the UltraBreeze FULL suit for $259. I ordered it from a smaller Apiary in Oklahoma that is about a block from where the suits are manufactured, called Ozark Bee Supply.
There are LOTS of places to order supplies from and you just need to spend the time seeing how each one can best meet your needs. Some offer free shipping if you order $100+ like: Mann Lake LTD or some have similar VENTED bee suits for less money like: Mann Lake for $155.95, Pigeon Mountain Trading Company - $174 (my husband ordered his suit here last night) I think he's tired of getting stung! <snicker> or Golden Bee Products for another version that is $229-$249. Chuck posted a review of the differences between our suits on his blog page.
UPDATE: As of March 29th, 2013 I have still not yet been stung through my suit. (knock on wood) Chuck has been stung through his veil, but he collapsed his face into it while working. His hood configuration doesn't seem to stand up quite as well as mine does. (another CHEER for the UltraBreeze suit)
I researched a lot about what type of Beesuit to buy or if I even needed one at all. I finally decided to buy the best (and most expensive) on the market. I REALLY don't like the idea of being stung. Go figure! Since it's usually going to be pretty warm here in Texas when I am out with bees, I decided to get the UltraBreeze FULL suit for $259. I ordered it from a smaller Apiary in Oklahoma that is about a block from where the suits are manufactured, called Ozark Bee Supply.
There are LOTS of places to order supplies from and you just need to spend the time seeing how each one can best meet your needs. Some offer free shipping if you order $100+ like: Mann Lake LTD or some have similar VENTED bee suits for less money like: Mann Lake for $155.95, Pigeon Mountain Trading Company - $174 (my husband ordered his suit here last night) I think he's tired of getting stung! <snicker> or Golden Bee Products for another version that is $229-$249. Chuck posted a review of the differences between our suits on his blog page.
UPDATE: As of March 29th, 2013 I have still not yet been stung through my suit. (knock on wood) Chuck has been stung through his veil, but he collapsed his face into it while working. His hood configuration doesn't seem to stand up quite as well as mine does. (another CHEER for the UltraBreeze suit)
Shopping for Bee Supplies:
Book Recommendations for Top- Bar Hive Beekeeping:
Other Good Books to Learn More About Your Beez
Homegrown Honey Bees
by Alethea Morrison
Beekeeping 1-2-3. Essential information to see you through the first year - from inspecting the hive to avoiding stings. |
Green Guides Keeping Bees
by Pam Gregory & Claire Waring Written by expert beekeepers, this complete guide will cover all facets of beekeeping for the budding bee lover. |
Beekeeping for Dummiesby Howland Blackiston Believe it or not, bees are one of the oldest species of domesticated animals. Archeologists have found evidence of beekeeping, or apiculture, in the Middle East dating back more than five thousand years. ... CHEAT SHEET |