start up costs

[AliciaH]

I don't recommend nucs for a new beekeeper unless they bring someone with them that know what they are doing to inspect them.  Nucs can come with very big problems.  Packages don't seem to be as bad.

I know the value of a good nuc, but I'll admit I lean towards packages for beginners.  The issue is all about experience, or lack of.  So...

I would recommend following the advice about having an experienced person help the newbie hive the nuc.  Nucs can come with issues and the odds are very low that a new beekeeper (who is nervous/excited) will recognize some those signs and symptoms.  By the time they do, the hive is almost always a gonner.  AND, there can be queen cells, which the newbie may not even think to look for (depending on if they even know to do so, or remember to do so through the adrenaline rush).  Especially if they are camouflaged amongst all the bees or an accumulation of wax at the bottom of the frames.

[Jim134]

An Estimated Cost of Beekeeping for Your First Year.

One of the first questions to come up at Beekeeping classes is, "How much does it cost to keep Honeybees?" This is a very good question. Most hobby or back yard beekeepers will keep one or two hives their first year. I always suggest keeping two hives so you can compare the difference. You will gain more knowledge and experience with two hives. The following is a breakdown of cost for your first year based on purchasing all new equipment:

One Hive Setup ----------------------------------- $229

(Includes bottom board, 2 Deep supers, 20 Deep frames, 2 Honey supers, 20 Honey frames, Queen excluder, Inner cover, Outer cover, and entrance reducer.)

Frame Feeder ----------------------------------- $10

Package of Bees----------------------------------- -$110

( 3lbs of bees with a queen)

Clothing and Tools --------------------------------$125

( Veil, gloves, smoker,2 hive tools, bee brush)

Bee School------------------------------------------ $100

(School sometimes includes a text book)

Extraction ----------------------------------------- $15

(Some clubs rent extraction equipment)

Total First year with one hive------------------$589

Total First year with two hives----------------$1038

(Additional hive setup, feeder, package of bees



http://www.nebees.com/tipsandtricks.php




             BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

[SCPossum]

Really don't want to talk about it. Not sure how I spent what I did. Went from two in May to four by July. Jim has a pretty accurate estimate. I will say after the first two, the next ones get cheaper and cheaper, especially when you start averaging. :-D. Next year I am hoping with a winter build session, the cost will drop dramatically.

I had better stop now....my wife might be reading....

[Hops Brewster]

I don't recommend nucs for a new beekeeper unless they bring someone with them that know what they are doing to inspect them.  Nucs can come with very big problems.  Packages don't seem to be as bad.

No very big problems with my nuc this year.  It's been a healthy, happy colony so far.  OTH, many of the packages sold around this region this year have been absolutely horrible with a high loss rate.

[Santa Caras]

I don't recommend nucs for a new beekeeper unless they bring someone with them that know what they are doing to inspect them.  Nucs can come with very big problems.  Packages don't seem to be as bad.

OTH, many of the packages sold around this region this year have been absolutely horrible with a high loss rate.

Thats my point. I think nucs are easier for a beginner. I hear more about problems with packages just leaving. Queens listless, balled, dead, or missing. Nucs dont have that problem. Yes, they MAY have issues and what not but thats a day in the life of a hive and not near the problesm that packages do.  Really, just how hard is it to transfer 5 frames over into a 10/8frme box?  Not everybody needs to be spoonfeed and their hand held. Its not rocket science. If someone is going to have bees than one would hope they'd done SOME work and reading before hand.

[flyboy]

I don't recommend nucs for a new beekeeper unless they bring someone with them that know what they are doing to inspect them.  Nucs can come with very big problems.  Packages don't seem to be as bad.

OTH, many of the packages sold around this region this year have been absolutely horrible with a high loss rate.

Thats my point. I think nucs are easier for a beginner. I hear more about problems with packages just leaving. Queens listless, balled, dead, or missing. Nucs dont have that problem. Yes, they MAY have issues and what not but thats a day in the life of a hive and not near the problesm that packages do.  Really, just how hard is it to transfer 5 frames over into a 10/8frme box?  Not everybody needs to be spoonfeed and their hand held. Its not rocket science. If someone is going to have bees than one would hope they'd done SOME work and reading before hand.

I wasn't aware of it but that is exactly what happened to me. One hive swarmed from two packages. In retrospect I would have gotten two nucs. Plus you'd get honey from them.

[capt44]

The tool is a carbide tipped buffing wheel type cup 3 inches wide x 1 1/2 inches deep.
If the wheel gets clogged with wood just use a propane torch to burn it out.
I have been using mine for 3 years now and never had to clean it.
I have cut enough handles for around 600 boxes.
At that time I give $78.00 for that tool.