Starter gear buying guide

This guide covers what a new beekeeper needs to buy, item by item, and what to look for in each. Picks are chosen by the method on How we review. A “Popular pick” is from a well-reviewed specialist seller with high sales. A “Budget option” costs less, with the trade-offs noted. Prices change often, so check the listing before you buy.

For the full list of what to have ready, including items that can wait, see What you need to start. For hive types, see Choosing a hive. The Flow Hive and the HiveIQ monitoring system have their own reviews: Flow Hive review and HiveIQ review.

Suit or jacket, and veil

The veil is the one item treated as essential, because stings to the face are hard to prevent any other way. Beyond that:

• A light colour such as white or khaki is the usual advice.
• A full suit protects more but is hotter. A jacket with an attached veil, worn with long trousers, is a common choice.
• Look for ventilated fabric, and zips and cuffs that seal fully. Wear enclosed boots and seal trouser and sleeve openings.

A jacket suits people who prefer their own trousers and want something cooler:

A pull-over veil is a cheap spare for visitors, but gives no protection below the neck:

Gloves

Gloves are optional for some keepers, but most beginners are better off with them. Thin, snug leather lets you feel the frames. Thick gloves make it easier to crush bees by accident. Check that the gauntlet (the long cuff) reaches well up the sleeve.

Smoker

A smoker burns slow-smouldering fuel to make cool smoke, which masks the alarm signals bees release. Look for a heat shield, so you do not burn your hand or the grass, and bellows that are easy to squeeze. Use dry, natural, untreated fuel. Check your state fire authority’s rules, especially on total fire ban days.

Hive tool

A hive tool is a flat metal lever for prising apart boxes and frames the bees have glued with propolis, and for scraping wax. Australian-style tools have a hook at one end for lifting frames. They are cheap enough that a spare is worth having.

Hive kit: 10-frame or 8-frame

Boxes come in two widths, 10-frame and 8-frame, in the same depths. The 8-frame boxes are narrower and lighter. A full box of honey is heavy, so think about whether you can lift the size you choose, again and again. Frames must match the box, so choose one width and keep to it.

A 10-frame double kit (two full-depth boxes) is the usual Australian starting hive. Kits sold with frames in the flat need assembling, which is cheaper but takes time.

Whichever you choose, hives in Australia must allow every frame to be inspected, which is a Code of Practice requirement. See Choosing a hive.

Frames and foundation

Foundation is a sheet of beeswax, or a plastic sheet coated in wax, pressed with a cell pattern that guides the bees to build straight comb. The two main choices:

• Timber frames with wax foundation. Cheapest per frame, but timber frames come flat-packed and need nailing, and the foundation needs wiring in.
• Plastic frames, or plastic foundation. One-piece plastic frames need no assembly or wiring. Plastic foundation clips into timber frames.

Queen excluder

A queen excluder is a slotted sheet that keeps the queen out of the honey boxes. It is optional, and can wait until you add your first honey box. Some kits include one. If you buy separately, match the 10-frame or 8-frame width.

Nuc box

A nucleus box (a “nuc”) is a small box of about five frames. It is useful for collecting a swarm, holding a spare queen, or making a split. It is not essential on day one.

A reference book

A local beekeeping club is the best place to ask what to buy and what to borrow. A good Australian reference book also helps, because seasons, pests and rules differ from the northern-hemisphere books that dominate online.

Before you buy

• Start with one box size and use it throughout.
• Ask a local club before buying an extractor or other honey gear. These can wait, and many clubs lend them.
• Check each listing for the seller’s location, postage and returns.

Next steps: Getting bees and Your first inspection.