Over the past decade, the amount of beehive equipment options have exploded, it can be annoying trying to figure out which one is best.
That's because beekeeping is a fascinating hobby that has been gaining popularity in recent years. Not only does it provide a source of delicious honey, but it also helps to support the declining bee population.
However, starting a bee colony can be a daunting task for beginners. That's where a bee hive starter kit comes in. But it's not that easy.
We'll walk you through some of the best beehive starter kits available for purchase on amazon and give you the pros and cons of each one.
What is a beehive starter kit?
A bee hive starter kit is a complete set of equipment needed to start and maintain a bee colony. It typically includes a hive body, frames, foundation, and sometimes includes other essential tools such as a smoker, hive tool, and bee suit.
With a starter kit, beginners can avoid the hassle of purchasing each item separately and ensure that they have everything they need to get started.
However, we recommend buying the suit, hive tool, and smoker separately so that you can ensure you're getting quality equpment and only buying what you really need.
If you are looking a quality beekeeping suit to avoid getting stung, read our popular article here.
Top 10 Best Beekeeping Suits: Avoid Getting Stung in 2024
Deciding Which Hive Design
When choosing the best bee hive starter kit, it's important to consider the type of hive and the size of the colony you want to keep. There are several types of hives available, including Langstroth, Top Bar, and Warre.
Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it's essential to choose the one that best suits your needs. Additionally, the size of the hive should be appropriate for the number of bees you plan to keep.
For more information on beekeeping for beginners, check out our previous article: How to Start Beekeeping.
This is good information that will help you find out whether beekeeping is a good fit for you personally. Following the recommendations in described in the article will give you a good starting point, if you find a local mentor, they will give you more specific advice on what equipment to buy to start out on your beekeeping journey.
If you need more detailed information on beginning beekeeping, check out our ebook, you can buy it here: Beginning Beekeeping
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. Thanks.
Types of Beehives
We spent hours researching and testing various bee hive starter kits to identify the ones that are the best for beginners. In the following sections, we'll discuss the top bee hive starter kits on the market and what makes them stand out.
The most common hive design used in the US is the langstroth 10 frame hive. To learn more about the Langstroth Hive designs, you can read the book written by the man himself, LL Langstroth -
Best Bee Hive Starter Kits
We understand that starting a beekeeping hobby can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to choosing the right equipment. That's why we've researched and compiled a list of the best bee hive starter kits available on Amazon.
Our list includes kits that cater to beginners as well as those with more experience. We've taken into consideration factors such as quality, durability, ease of use, and affordability to provide you with a comprehensive guide. Read on to find the perfect bee hive starter kit for you.
To be brutally honest, most of the hive starter kits on the market are filled with extra equipment that you really don't need starting out. Most of the items should be bought separately using this guide How to start beekeeping
Today we'll cover the top 5 langstroth 10 frame hive starter kits. Some of them come with extra beekeeping equipment that we think is good quality that you'll actually need. Other selections are just the hive equipment only.
You will need tools to assemble most of the kits because they are shipped unassembled.
You will need wood glue to add extra strength to all of the connections on both the hive bodies and the frames. We recommend Titebond Wood Glue.
Most kits come with nails to assemble everything, however, it is much easier to use a staple gun especially when assembling the frames. This Bostitch brad nailer will do the job.
Number 1 Overall Pick for 2024
Hoover Hives: The Original Beeswax Coated Beehive Kit. Includes 2 Deep & 1 Medium Boxes with Wooden Frames & Heavy Wax Coated Foundations. Easy Assembly with Predrilled Holes & Screws (Unassembled)
If you're looking for a comprehensive beehive starter kit, the Hoover Hives beehive starter kit is one to consider. I've started many new beekeepers using these hive kits and they are really nice. They look amazing and should last for years to come with no maintenance.
Pros
The kit includes everything you need to start a new colony of honeybees. It comes complete with a solid bottom board, two deep hive bodies with 20 unassembled deep frames with foundation, one medium honey super with 10 medium unassembled frames, a plastic queen excluder, an inner cover, an entrance reducer, and a telescoping lid.
The exterior parts of the beehive are made of durable cedarwood and coated with beeswax, making them more durable than other beehive boxes and less prone to warping.
The kit also includes 10 unassembled deep brood frames made of high-quality pine wood and 10 foundation sheets made of black food-grade plastic dipped in 100% beeswax.
Cons
These hive bodies are notched with dovetail joints, in order to get these joints to mate properly, a heat gun is required to melt the wax and help them to slide together easily. We use this heat gun Milwakee 8977-20. A high powered hair dryer MIGHT work.
This kit only comes with one honey super and frames. You will need to buy more honey supers when your colony becomes stronger and the honey flow starts. They can fill up a honey super in a week when conditions are right.
You can buy fully assembled honey supers from Hoover Hives here: Hoover Hives 10 Frame Medium Honey Super.
We would like to caution you, the honey super frames come assembled, but they only have one nail in the top bar of the frame. We would add two more staples in the side of the frame like this:
These extra nails penetrate the side rails of the frame and add strength by securing the top bar of the frame. When the honey frame is full of honey, there is a lot of extra weight hanging down on that top bar of the frame. These extra nails will keep everything from falling apart and making a big sticky mess!
10-Frame Langstroth Beehive Dipped in 100% Beeswax, Complete Bee Hives and Supplies Starter Kit Includes 2 Deep Hive Bee Box and 1 Bee Hive Super with Beehive Frames and Foundation
This hive kit is very similar to the Hoover Hives kit. The only noticeable difference is they provide screws instead of nails to assemble the hive bodies.
The kit includes everything you need to start a new colony of honeybees. It comes complete with a solid bottom board, two deep hive bodies with 20 unassembled deep frames with foundation, one medium honey super with 10 medium unassembled frames, a plastic queen excluder, an inner cover, an entrance reducer, and a telescoping lid.
Pros
The beehive is made of high-quality cedar wood that ensures a healthy life for bees.
The exterior of the beehive is coated with beeswax, making it waterproof and more durable.
The dovetail joints design makes the bee hive structurally stronger.
Cons
You will need all of the tools and precautions described in the Hoover Hives kit.
BeeCastle 10-Frame Complete Bee Hives and Supplies Starter Kit,Beehives for Beginners with Beehive Frames and Waxed Foundations (2 Deep Bee Boxes & 1 Medium Super Bee Box)
This is another complete kit like the other kits listed above. The biggest difference with this one is the hive body construction using pine. Pine is the lowest quality material to use for hive equipment due to the low resistance to rot.
Pine must be coated with some type of protective coating like exterior paint or beeswax.
Pros
Comes complete with all necessary hive components to start a colony.
Cons
Some components require assembly
May not be suitable for experienced beekeepers
Hive components need to be coated with exterior paint or beeswax to prevent rot, warping, and splitting.
BEEKNOWS 10 Frame Beehive Kit with Screened Bottom Board Dipped in 100% Beeswax, Bee Hive Boxes Starter Kit for Bee Keekeepers - Langstroth Beehive Kit with 2 Honey Bee Hives Boxes
We like this hive kit over the other ones due to the fact that it has a screened bottom board. Screened bottom boards are good for reducing mites inside your hive, they allow the mites to fall down through the screen and out of the hive.
They are also helpful for providing ventilation in hotter climates. This screened bottom board design doesn't provide a way to cover the screen in colder months so it would not be ideal for beekeepers in colder climates.
Any hive can be equipped with a quality screened bottom board, we like these:
Hoover Hives 10 Frame Langstroth Beehive Screened Bottom Board Dipped in 100% Beeswax
Pros
Comes complete with the bare minimum hive components to start a colony.
Wooden frames, one deep hive body, one medium honey super, queen excluder, screened bottom board, entrance reducer, inner cover, and telescoping lid.
Cons
Requires assembly including all of the issues mentioned earlier.
Only has one deep brood box and one honey super, you will ideally expand your bee population which will require a second deep hive box and 10 more frames. You'll also need more honey supers and frames eventually, just like all of the other hives discussed earlier.
Buying Guide
When it comes to purchasing a bee hive starter kit, there are a few key features to consider to ensure that you get the best product for your needs. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
Hive Type
The first thing to consider is the type of hive that you want to use. The two most common types are Langstroth and top bar hives. Langstroth hives are the more traditional option and are the most widely used. Top bar hives, on the other hand, are a newer design that is gaining popularity due to their simplicity and ease of use.
Hive Material
The material of the hive is also an important consideration. Wooden hives are the most common and offer good insulation and durability. Plastic hives are also available and are often less expensive, but they may not be as durable in the long run. Metal hives are another option, but they can be expensive and are not as well insulated as wooden hives.
Accessories
In addition to the hive itself, you'll also need to consider the accessories that come with the starter kit. Look for kits that include essential items like a smoker, hive tool, and protective gear. Some kits may also include additional accessories like a feeder or queen excluder.
Price
Finally, consider the price of the kit. While it can be tempting to go for the cheapest option, keep in mind that a higher price may indicate better quality and more accessories included. That being said, there are plenty of affordable starter kits that offer everything you need to get started.
By considering these factors, you can choose the best bee hive starter kit for your needs and get started on your beekeeping journey with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What essential items should a bee hive starter kit include?
A bee hive starter kit should include all the essential components for starting a new beehive. This includes a hive body, frames, foundation, a hive tool, a smoker, and protective gear such as a bee suit, gloves, and veil.
How do I choose the right type of beehive as a beginner?
Choosing the right type of beehive as a beginner can be overwhelming. We recommend starting with a Langstroth hive, as it is the most common and widely used beehive in the United States. It is also easier to find resources and support for this type of hive.
What are the advantages of purchasing a complete bee hive starter kit versus individual components?
Purchasing a complete bee hive starter kit can be more convenient and cost-effective compared to buying individual components. Starter kits are designed to include all the necessary components for starting a new beehive, and can often be purchased at a discounted price.
Can you recommend any reputable brands for bee hive starter kits?
There are many reputable brands for bee hive starter kits, including Mann Lake, Brushy Mountain Bee Farm, and Dadant. We recommend doing research and reading reviews before making a purchase. You can also find local beehive suppliers that usually build custom higher quality hive components.
What are the key factors to consider when starting a beehive in different climates?
When starting a beehive in different climates, it is important to consider factors such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall. Bees require different care and management depending on the climate they are in, so it is important to research and understand the specific needs of your bees.