Getting Started

Everything you need to begin your beekeeping journey — from choosing your first hive to performing your initial inspections.

getting started

25 Common Beekeeping Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

The most frequent mistakes beekeepers make — from over-inspecting to ignoring mites — with specific fixes and prevention strategies for each.

15 min readbeginner, intermediate

getting started

Beekeeping Equipment Guide: Tools, Protective Gear & Supplies for Every Budget

Complete guide to beekeeping equipment — from essential starter kits to advanced tools, protective gear, extractors, and seasonal supplies.

20 min readbeginner

getting started

Buying Bees: Packages vs Nucs vs Feral Swarms

Compare the three main ways to start a honey bee colony — packages, nucleus colonies, and feral swarms — with costs, pros, cons, and recommendations for every beekeeper level.

15 min readbeginner

getting started

Choosing Your First Beehive: Langstroth, Top Bar, Warre & More

Compare every major beehive type — Langstroth, Top Bar, Warre, Flow Hive — with pros, cons, costs, and which is best for beginners.

15 min readbeginner

getting started

First Year Beekeeping: Month-by-Month Walkthrough

A complete month-by-month guide to your first year of beekeeping — from installing your first package in spring through surviving your first winter.

18 min readbeginner

getting started

Installing a Package of Bees: Step by Step

A detailed walkthrough for installing your first package of honey bees — from preparation through the critical first week, with tips for handling common issues.

10 min readbeginner

getting started

The Complete Guide to Starting Beekeeping

Everything you need to know to start beekeeping — from choosing equipment to harvesting your first honey. A step-by-step guide for absolute beginners.

20 min readbeginner

getting started

Urban & Suburban Beekeeping: Keeping Bees Where You Live

Keep honey bees in cities and suburbs — navigate ordinances, manage neighbors, maximize small-space forage, and be a responsible urban apiarist.

16 min readbeginner, intermediate