Recommended Supplies

Below are a few pieces of equipment that will help you interact more confidently and effectively with your new colony. These are recommended, but many beekeepers form their own tool kits to follow their knowledge and practice.

Tool	Discription
Bee Suit and Gloves	This commonly used layer protects the wearer from bee stings, but lots of beekeepers do not use a full suit or gloves at all. The most important thing is to feel calm and confident. As a new beekeeper, it is wise to start with a suit and gloves until you are more comfortable.
Hive Tool	The hive tool is a simple woodworking tool used to pull frames apart and remove them from the hive when the bees have stuck them together. This is essential kit for top bar beekeepers.
Smoker	Smokers are used to calm the bees by masking their alarm pheromones. Blowing smoke into the hive also makes the bees retreat into the hive to gorge themselves with honey.
Bee Brush	The bee brush is used to gently remove bees from the comb when harvesting honey. The brush is also a helpful tool when catching swarms, or getting rid of bees left on top of the top bars before closing the lid.
Beeswax	Before installing bees into your hive it is smart to rub beeswax on bottom ridge of the top bars. This will encourage the bees build along the top bars, so they can be easily extracted.