Is Beekeeping Expensive? Yes and No: It Depends on You and What Your Goals Are.
Beekeeping has seen a surge in popularity in recent years as people look for ways to help the environment and produce their own honey.
However, the costs of getting started as a new beekeeper can seem daunting. We’ll take an in-depth look at the expenses involved and provide realistic cost estimates for both buying everything brand new versus finding used equipment.
We’ll also offer tips on how to reduce your startup costs when entering the world of beekeeping.
The Basic Equipment Needed
To start beekeeping, there are some essential pieces of equipment you’ll need to safely house and care for a colony of honeybees:
Hive boxes - These are the stacked wooden boxes, also known as brood boxes or supers, that contain the hive’s frames where bees live and store honey. Most beginners start with 2-3 hive bodies. ($150-$300 new for complete hive box kits)
Frames and foundation - Wooden frames hold wax foundations where bees build comb. You’ll need ten frames per hive body. ($100-$200 new for 20-30 frames with foundation)
Bottom board - This is the floor of the hive with an entrance for bees. ($50-$75 new)
Inner cover - This separates hive bodies and provides insulation and ventilation. ($30-$50 new)
Outer cover - This weatherproof lid fits over the top hive body to protect from rain and wind. ($50-$75 new)
Smoker - Used to puff smoke to calm bees during inspections. ($30-$60 new)
Hive tool - A specialized metal pry bar for opening hives. ($10-$20 new)
Bee suit or jacket with veil - Protective clothing to avoid stings. ($50-$150 new)
Gloves - Essential hand protection. ($10-$20 new)
Bee feeder - Used to supplement food in times of scarcity. ($15-$30 new)
In total, a completely new set of equipment will cost $500-$800 or more. However, many beekeepers advise newbies to start with just one hive initially, which could lower startup costs to around $300-$600.
Buying Used Bee Hives and Equipment
Purchasing good quality used equipment from local beekeepers is an excellent way to save money when getting started. Joining local beekeeping associations can help you connect with sellers who are upgrading their setups or quitting the hobby. Here are some tips for finding bargains:
Check online classifieds like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for used bee supplies in your area. Listings often pop up in spring or fall. We have used both, and they are a great way to find used equipment and tools.
Attend beekeeping club meetings and events to network with other local beekeepers who may have equipment to sell.
Ask any beekeeping mentors if they have any spare equipment or know someone selling.
Watch for bee supply swap meets or conferences with vendor areas selling used tools.
Join beekeeping groups online to watch for postings of used supplies.
When evaluating used equipment, carefully inspect for any rot, warp, or pest damage and make sure frames and foundations are intact. Smokers, hive tools, and accessories can offer big savings versus new.
We do not recommend buying used protective gear as for us it isn't a good idea. With some elbow grease to clean and sanitize used hive components, you can easily save 50% or more off retail prices on startup costs.
Additional First Year Expenses
Once you acquire the equipment, there are some additional first-year expenses to complete setup and maintenance:
The bees - You’ll need to buy a honey bee colony, called a “nuc,” with a mated queen and 3-5 pounds of worker bees. This will cost $100-$200, depending on the source and time of year. Packages with 2-3 lbs of bees and a queen can also work.
Medications/treatments - To prevent pests and diseases, you may need miticides or essential oils, which can run $30-$150 for the first year.
Extra equipment - From robbing screens to entrance reducers and more, incidentals add up. Budget $50-$100 extra.
Woodenware repair - Expect hives to need some fixes and improvements at times. Set aside $50-$100 for lumber, paint, hardware, etc.
Honey harvesting supplies - At a minimum, you’ll need jars, lids, and labels. $50-$150 should get you started. A pollen trap will be required for $30-$40 if you want to collect pollen.
Protective gear upgrades - You may decide to get ventilated jackets, suits, etc, later on. $100-$300.
Travel costs - To acquire bees and take them to your apiary, fuel and vehicle wear add up.
Your first-year total can easily come to $900-$1500 between the woodworking, occupants, and maintenance that beekeeping requires. Fortunately, you can expect to harvest possibly 30-60 lbs of honey if your colony is healthy and conditions favorable.
Reducing Startup Costs
If those totals seem intimidating, here are some great ways to reduce your initial investments in beekeeping:
Start with just one or two hives to see if this hobby suits you before expanding. Many essentials are fixed costs, no matter the size of your operation.
Build some equipment yourself. Hive bodies, tops, and bottoms are easy projects for those handy with tools.
See if any beekeeper mentors will trade beekeeping labor for the use of their extra equipment.
Join a beekeepers’ co-op that pools resources. This cuts per-person expenses dramatically.
Find used equipment deals via online groups, club members, and classifieds before buying new.
Catch swarms for free bees! Some associations collect swarms that members can adopt.
Consider making splurges like powered extractors and communal equipment shared locally.
While not free, starting beekeeping for around $500 is very feasible if you’re patient and creative about acquiring equipment.
Once established, yearly costs decrease, and you can sell honey to offset expenses. What seems expensive initially will likely pay for itself eventually if you stick with this satisfying hobby.
Final Analysis of the Cost of Beekeeping
In summary, the costs of beekeeping largely depend on:
If buying new vs. used equipment - at least 50% savings buying secondhand
If starting with one or multiple hives - scaling up incrementally costs less initially
If you are building any components yourself - hive bodies are simple DIY projects
If you can barter, swap, or share with others - cut duplicating equipment
If catching swarms or bees from cutouts - free bees!
Realistically, purchasing everything brand new would cost $400-$500 or more for one hive.
Many new beekeepers successfully launched their first colony for $400 or less by employing thrift and some “do-it-yourself” spirit.
While not trivial, starting beekeeping certainly seems more affordable when you break down the components and learn ways to source them economically.
Once you’re up and running, this rewarding hobby can provide honey, beeswax, pollination services, and more “buzz-worthy” activities for years to come!
Betsy and Pete
Las Vegas, Nevada
About Us: The Authors
We're Betsy and Pete, passionate Las Vegas beekeepers trained by a master in the field. With hundreds of successful bee and bee swarm removals under our belts, we're not just experts; we're enthusiasts committed to the well-being of these incredible pollinators.
We manage dozens of beehives, both natural and honey-bearing at our Joshua Tree Preserve.
Our Commitment to Excellence
Education is an ongoing journey, especially in a dynamic field such as beekeeping. That's why we continually update our knowledge base, collaborate with other experts, and stay up to date with the latest advancements in bee control methods and beekeeping practices.
We also provide top-tier beekeeping supplies, offering everything a beekeeper needs, from beginners to experts.