Home >> Hobbies >> Other Hobbies

Tools for Bees

Beekeeping is not only an enjoyable hobby for many, but also a lucrative business venture. Bees produce royal jelly, propolis, which is a resin from trees, beeswax and honey. To begin beekeeping and reaping the rewards of having bees, there are some tools you will need to acquire. Clothing is one important consideration for your safety, as well as a beekeeping tool collection, and of course, the beehives and the proper equipment to keep them in.

Beekeeping Attire
- You could either purchase a bee suit, or pick out clothes from your own wardrobe to put attire together that is just as safe. Dark colors, such as black and navy blue, stimulate the bees, so wear white, khaki, light pink, or another light color. Wear long pants and long sleeves. Tuck the bottoms of your pants into your socks, or wear boots, so bees cannot enter your pants from the bottoms. Wear a veil, which you will probably need to purchase. You will need this to cover your eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Use rubber gloves, which you probably already have in your kitchen or bathroom.
Hives and Hive Bodies
- Purchase two or more beehives. This will give you practice and experience to start with. Buy hive bodies, also called brood chambers or super. These are stacked boxes that contain hives. These are lightweight when empty, but heavy when honey is filled inside the hives. Medium-sized boxes, also called Illinois boxes, are recommended by many beekeepers for the beginners and experienced alike.
Smoker
- You will also need to purchase a smoker, which blows smoke puffs onto your beehives to calm down and tires them so they do not swarm or sting you. A smoker consists of a metal pot, bellows, coals on top of a grate, and fuel sources on the coals. The best size to buy for smokers is a 4-by-7-inch smoker, also known as the medium sized smoker.
Hive Tool
- A hive tool helps you remove the lid of a beehive and separate and clean the frames that are inside your hive box, which in turn is filled with the honey. The tool looks like metal levers. Look for the 10-inch long hive tool. Make sure it fits comfortably in your hand. You can also use a hive tool to clean propolis, the sap bees use to fill in tiny gaps between the hive and the honey. Remember that you must clean it after each use to prevent bee diseases from being transmitted hive to hive. Place it in a fire to clean it.
Bee Brush
- A bee brush removes bees from honeycombs when you take honey from the combs. Some may be tempted to shake the hive to scare the bees away, but this can damage the honey combs. Bee brushes have gentle, harmless bristles. Other beekeepers may be tempted to use a branch or some feathers for free to brush the honey combs, but these can contaminate the honeycombs and should be avoided.

Other Hobbies