Start Keeping Bees > Cost & Time
How Much Does It Cost To Start Keeping Bees?
Beehive £125.00 (Thornes Bees on a budget range)
Tools and protective clothing £130.00 approx
Membership of W & L Beekeepers
£41.50
Introduction to beekeeping course £50.00
Other than essential equipment, it is best not to buy items until you know you have a need.
With the right skills, beehives can be made.
Networking can identify second hand equipment, but seek advice regarding used hives
Two hives are better than one, but it depends on budget availability
The prime hive running costs are:
Replacement foundation wax
Sugar for Autumn feed
Hive treatment against varroa mite
Honey jars & labels
A hive should produce around 40lb of honey per annum, but this varies with weather, forage availability and condition of the bees. Income from honey sales should cover prime running costs
How Much Time Does Beekeeping Take?
Four types of time are involved with beekeeping:
Learning/start-up time
Fixed essential time when actions must be carried out - e.g. swarm prevention measures
Discretionary essential time, when certain tasks must be carried out, but there is a window during which the actions can be taken e.g. honey extraction, equipment maintenance and
"Community" time, which is optional, but which demonstrates your commitment to the beekeeping community e.g. collecting swarms, giving talks, helping to organise branch activities.
(NB the times given assume just one hive, but having two hives less than doubles your commitment)
Learning/Start-up Time
Buying materials and assembly/installation of hive - say 5 hours
Attendance on Introductory course - 6 evenings
Attendance at teaching apiary - ideally one evening per week for three months
Fixed Essential Time
May & June – weekly inspections – 1 hour each
June & September – honey removal – 1.5 hours each
September/October – feeding & disease treatment - 2 hours
December - Oxalic Acid treatment - 1 hour
Total – say 14.5 hours
(it is likely because of your developing interest in beekeeping, that you will choose to spend more time than this)
Discretionary Essential Time
April - clean out hive - 3 hours
Monitoring varroa population - 2 hours
Honey processing – 4 hours
Equipment maintenance – 4 hours
Total 13 hours
Discretionary Community Time - Examples
Attending Branch Meetings
Giving talks
Helping others informally
Mentoring
Training others
Committee membership?