As beekeeping builds its annual buzz, you may find yourself interested in getting in on the action! Fortunately, anybody with the time, space, and energy to dedicate to the hobby can become a thriving beekeeper without breaking the bank. You just need to know how to get started!
Beekeeping is a fun, rewarding, and environmentally beneficial hobby, but it’s a demanding commitment. So, if you’re ready to become a hobbyist beekeeper, you have a lot to look forward to, and the setup will be as fun as the payoff! Before you start shopping for your beekeeping supplies, continue reading to learn more about the demands of hobbyist beekeeping.
How much space will you need for beekeeping?
Ideally, you will want at least 400 square metres for your hives. That space should be out of the way of your daily traffic and include windbreaks but infrequent shade. Direct sunlight helps get your bees out and about. The location should be exposed to the north and be near plentiful food sources.
Remember that the space you carve out for your beehives should be easily accessible for both you and your bees. A single beehive can weigh upwards of 30kgs, so you don’t want your trek to the site to be too demanding. Lastly, your bees will need uninterrupted flight paths to nearby food sources.
How much time will you need for beekeeping?
Once you’re all set up and the hives are occupied and functional, you’re unlikely to spend more than 40 hours per year tending to any individual colony. Your first year will likely require more than that, but you can chalk some of this up to the inefficiency of inexperience. You might also be understandably eager. It’s your first season as a beekeeper, after all! While it’s certainly possible to spend too much time meddling with your hives, up to a point you’ll find that the more you put into them, the more you’ll get out of them.
How much money will you need for beekeeping?
Setting up your beehive kits and acquiring your necessary beekeeper accessories can be a significant upfront investment, anywhere from a couple hundred to well over a thousand Australian dollars, depending on how much you’re willing to spend. Once you’re set up, however, the cost of maintaining your hives is minimal. Items like suits, smokers, and honey harvesting equipment are one-time purchases. Once you have them, the only major cost is your effort, and most maintenance costs will be offset by a productive honey harvest.
As you’re starting out, speak with a hobbyist beekeeping expert about what all you need. Consider the following for a solid start-up kit:
- Hive sets and starter kits
- Honey extraction set
- Suit
- Smoker
- Hive tool
- Bee brush
Everything you need to get your beekeeping hobby underway
As you shop around to buy beehives and supplies, remember that high-quality equipment will serve you well through many seasons and save you money in the long run. Nuplas Apiarist Supplies has everything you need to make your maiden voyage as a hobbyist beekeeper a successful one. Contact the beekeeping experts at Nuplas today to learn more!