What Beekeeping Equipment Do I Need? A Beginner’s Guide for Beekeepers

So, you’re thinking about keeping bees? That’s brilliant! Beekeeping is one of the most rewarding and addictive hobbies you can take up. It connects you with nature, helps pollinators thrive, and—if all goes well—you’ll eventually enjoy your own honey. Before I kept bees, I spent much time in front of a screen. I have run a few businesses, and keeping bees has been the least profitable; I have yet to see any return. But that aside, I absolutely love keeping bees and being outside.

But before you get started in the world of beekeeping, you must ensure you have the right equipment.

The correct kit makes beekeeping safer, easier, and more enjoyable. It protects you and your bees, giving them the best chance of success while ensuring you can confidently manage your hives.

In this short but concise article, I’ll walk you through all the essential beekeeping equipment you need to start, covering everything from hives and frames to protective clothing and hive tools.

Let’s dive in!

Choosing the Right Beehive

The first thing you need to think about is bee hives. This is where your bees will live, raise their young and store the honey. The most commonly used hive here in the UK is the British National Hive. It’s often the best choice for beginners because it is widely available, designed for the joyous British weather, and easy to manage. Many local beekeeping associations, like the Chichester Beekeeping Association, recommend using National hives. The National hive is often the type of bee hive that you will learn to keep bees with if you do a beekeeping course.

The other option is the WBC hive, the classic, traditional-looking hive often seen in gardens. While it offers excellent insulation with its double-walled structure, I absolutely hated the WBC that I had. It was cumbersome, and none of my National parts fitted, so I quickly sold it and bought another National hive.

Some beekeepers go on a larger scale with the Langstroth Hive, the most popular hive used worldwide. The Langstroth is excellent for honey production but not so common in the UK, so most beekeepers avoid it because parts are harder to find.

Some beekeepers opt for a more natural approach to keeping bees and opt for the Top Bar Hive. This allows bees to build comb freely. This hive is for beekeepers who want to let the bees be bees and are not worried about honey production.

The National Hive is your best bet if you’re starting out. It’s easy to use, well-suited to the UK climate, and widely supported by beekeeping communities.

Protective Clothing – Keeping Yourself Safe from Stings

Getting stung goes hand in hand with beekeeping. Being stung by a beekeeper is like getting wet by a swimmer!! Even my friendliest of bees will often remind me that they sting, and when working with tens of thousands of bees, it is always best to be prepared.

A good beekeeping suit is essential. When I started, I went through a few cheap suits, and when I decided to spend a bit more money, it changed beekeeping. I paid £200 for my first proper suit. Then, after a few summers in my thick cotton suit and nearly passing out due to the heat and the sun hitting me, I upgraded again, and I seem to think my current suit is a 6mm thick vented suit with 100% airflow and it is a game changer for me. I can be in my suit all day long in summer and am fresh and not passing out.

If you want to check out my sting suit from BB Ware.

Getting stung while inspecting bees is stressful, so a good suit will pay for itself.

A full-body suit with an integrated veil is the safest option, ensuring no bees can sneak in. Some beekeepers prefer just a beekeeping jacket instead of a full suit, but as a beginner, it’s best to go for full coverage.

You’ll also need gloves. Leather gloves provide excellent protection but can make handling frames a bit clumsy. On the other hand, nitrile gloves offer more dexterity and allow for gentler handling of the bees, reducing the risk of squashing them. Some experienced beekeepers eventually work without gloves, but wearing them is a good idea when starting out.

I use leather gauntlets because I have severe problems with my hands, and still, the angry ladies’ can get through sometimes.

The Smoker – Keeping Your Bees Calm

A smoker is an essential tool in beekeeping. A few gentle puffs of cool smoke into the hive help to keep the bees calm during inspections. The smoke masks alarm pheromones that bees release when they feel threatened, making them less likely to become defensive. It also encourages them to gorge on honey, which makes them more docile.

When choosing a smoker, go for one with a sturdy metal body, a good heat guard to prevent burns, and strong bellows that allow you to easily control the amount of smoke.

My favourite smoker cost me £6 from a bee action at Plumpton College, and I only bought it to get the auction moving, and it’s served me proud for many years.

For fuel, you can use materials like wood shavings, dried leaves, untreated cardboard, or even old egg cartons. I use cardboard and then pine cones; a fair few people collect the pine cones for me now, so this is great. The key is to generate cool smoke, not hot smoke, which can irritate the bees rather than calming them.

Essential Hive Tools

You won’t get far in beekeeping without a hive tool. This small but crucial piece of equipment helps you open the hive, pry apart frames, scrape off excess wax, and remove propolis (the sticky resin-like substance bees use to seal gaps).

There are two common hive tools: the J-shaped tool, which is great for lifting frames, and the flat hive tool, which is a more general-purpose option. Most beekeepers prefer the J-shaped tool as it makes frame removal easier.

I use a J tool, and I get through a fair few a year; I drop them, leave them in long grass, and generally don’t look after them. I buy them in bulk, and they are now just a throwaway item for me.

Another helpful tool to have on hand is a bee brush. This soft-bristled brush lets you gently move bees off frames without harming them. While some beekeepers prefer a gentle puff of smoke or even a feather, a bee brush can be handy when clearing bees from an area without disturbing them too much.

Frames & Foundation – Supporting Your Bees’ Honeycomb

Inside your hive, you’ll need frames for the bees to build their honeycomb on. These frames hold sheets of foundation, which can be made of wax or plastic and help guide the bees where to build.

In a National Hive, you’ll need:

• Brood frames – These go in the lower part of the hive (the brood box), where the queen lays her eggs.
• Super frames – These are placed in the honey supers (the upper sections of the hive) where the bees store honey.

Foundation sheets provide a structured base for the bees to build their comb on, helping to keep the hive organised and easy to inspect. Wax foundation is the most natural option, while plastic foundation is more durable and can be reused. I use some wax and some plastic, and I can’t decide which I prefer, but for a beginner, stick with wired wax for now and then swap if you feel the need.

Feeders – Helping Your Bees Thrive

In the UK, there are times when natural nectar sources are scarce, especially in early spring and late autumn. This is when a bee feeder becomes essential. Feeders allow you to provide sugar syrup to help support your colony during difficult periods.

The most common types include:

• Contact feeders – These sit inside the hive and work by gravity.
• Rapid feeders – These are easy to refill without disturbing the bees too much.
• Frame feeders – These sit inside the hive like a regular frame and allow bees to drink from them.

A rapid feeder is often the easiest choice for beginners, as it allows for easy monitoring and refilling.

Honey Extraction Equipment (For Later On)

You may want to harvest honey once your colony is established and thriving. While this won’t be a priority in your first year, it’s good to know what’s needed.

To extract honey, you’ll need:

• A honey extractor – Manual or electric- spins frames to remove honey without damaging the comb.
• A honey strainer – Used to remove bits of wax and debris.
• Jars and labels – For storing and selling (or gifting!) your honey.

Final Thoughts: Getting Started the Right Way

When you get stuck into the world of beekeeping, there is always something else to buy, and I have spent a small fortune on equipment. When you get to the size of us at The Elmer Honey Co., you will want to look at buying jarring machines and label machines, uncapping tanks and nucs, and all sorts of gadgets that make your life a little easier.

Beekeeping is a fantastic journey, but starting with the right equipment makes all the difference. Focus on the essentials: a hive, protective gear, a smoker, and a hive tool.

And one of the best things you can do is join a local beekeeping association. They offer fantastic support, training, and sometimes even second-hand equipment to help you get started.

🐝 Happy beekeeping! 🐝