Starter kit
There are many options for starting in the rewarding pastime of beekeeping. The more a person wants to do themselves later on, the less the cost. The Bindaree Starter Kit includes:
1. Bee AgSkills book to get you started
2. Protective clothing suitable for a new starter as you become familiar with handling bees
3. Two timber boxes, lid and base all fully assembled but not painted
4. Handmade timber frames with beeswax foundation
5. Smoker, hive tool and other miscellaneous equipment.
As an option, fully assembled plastic boxes, lids and bottoms are also available. Plastic boxes are often preferred because they dont need to be painted and will last longer than timber boxes. Please specify if you would like plastic boxes. You may also wish to make other variations to the basic items listed.
| Item | Description | Cost |
| 1. Book | Bee Agskills – NSW Department of Primary Industries. The perfect introduction to beekeeping developed by industry personnel and Departmental officers for the home study course. | $25.00 |
| Protective clothing | ||
| 2. Gloves | Goat leather – Size S, M, L, XL, or XXL | $25.00 |
| 3. Jacket | Standard – Size S, M, L, XL, or XXL | $88.00 |
| The Beehive | ||
| 4. Hive Lid | Timber, metal cover – 8 frame, assembled | $44.00 |
| 5. Hive Box | Timber – 8 frame, assembled | $44.00 |
| 6. Bottom Board | Timber – 8 frame, assembled | $29.00 |
| 7. Frames (8) | Timber, with beeswax foundation, assembled | $60.00 |
| 8. Easy Metal Hive Lock | Holds boxes together | $19.00 |
| Beekeeping tools | ||
| 9. Smoker | Stainless Steel | $75.00 |
| 10. Hive tool | Maxant – Australian design chrome plated | $29.00 |
| Sub total | $438.00 | |
| Extras (usually needed within 6 to 8 weeks as the number of bees increases) | ||
| 11. Queen excluder | Plastic screen – to keep queen bee in bottom box | $12.00 |
| 12. Hive super | Timber – 8 frame, assembled | $44.00 |
| 13. Frames (8) | Timber, with beeswax foundation, assembled | $60.00 |
| TOTAL | $554.00 | |
The Bees
There are two options to obtain bees for your starter kit; you can either get a swarm or a nucleus colony. If you live in or near Canberra, there are number of beekeepers who catch swarms and can put one into your equipment for a modest fee. Swarms are only available in the Spring, about mid September to mid November.
Alternatively, Bindaree has a limited number of nucleus colonies available. A nucleus consists of three frames of honey and brood, bees and a new laying queen. The queen has been selected for high productivity and gentle nature. Like swarms, colonies are also only available in the Spring; and they will need to be booked. They cannot be shipped so you will need to pick them up from the shop.
Those living too far away to pick up colonies may wish to consider local sources for bees. Please phone or email for advice.
