Beekeeping is a specialized hobby and, as such, a beekeeper may need a few specialized tools to go through their hives and complete a typical inspection. Luckily, most tools in beekeeping are multi-purpose, and while a beekeeper will need a toolkit of some form, it need not be too extensive or expensive!
A bee smoker is a beekeeper’s best friend and helps to calm bees, sometimes reducing the chances of a beekeeper taking a sting as well. A smoker can make inspections easier for both the bees and the beekeeper. In addition to taking a lit smoker to the Apiary, don’t forget to take smoker fuel and a lighter, I have been caught short on a few occasions.
Another item you’ll need is a good hive tool. This will allow you to separate propolized boxes, remove frames from the hive and clean up any burr comb that might be causing issues. Beyond these tasks, most beekeepers tend to find unexpected uses for a good hive tool as they go about their business. I would always recommend keeping your hive tool sharp as this makes life a lot easier.
A bee brush is another item often worth take to the apiary and helps with clearing off bees from your inner cover, in-hive feeders and frames.
A logbook and a pen are other items you might consider sticking in your pocket. Taking notes in beekeeping, whether noting observations about a particular hives or particular frames within a hive, will only help you later. You can also pick up apps for your phone if a pen and paper is old fashioned.
I would also recommend a good quality bee suit and gloves; this is your last line of defense between you and the bees.
These are just the basic tools that you can find, but there are loads of other tools for various different tasks that can make beekeeping easier, but I will let you discover them for yourself.
Comments