what not to forget when starting out in beekeeping

[PLAN-B]

I have my hives, a hive tool, smoker, top feeders on their way, veil, frames and foundation. If there is one thing you as a seasoned beekeeper would add to this list, what would it be? Don't want to get the girls and need something and not have it... Thanks 

[BlueBee]

If your foundation is plastic, IMO it really helps to roll on a little more bees wax. 

[goatmanbees]

I like having a frame perch. I don't need it but I like using it.

[10framer]

benadryl just in case. 

[PLAN-B]

I am using wax foundation blue. I was looking at the frame perches and do think its a great idea, if anything so i'm not clumsy with the girls and need that benadryl sooner rather than later. LOL Thanks for the input Blue, Goat and 10...

[edward]

If there is one thing you as a seasoned beekeeper would add to this list, what would it be?

  Have fun with your new friends 

mvh edward 

[buzzbee]

A cheap digital camera to take pictures when doing inspections. Looking at the pictures later, you can observe things you overlooked when doing your inspection. And when you look into the cells keep the sun to your back, it makes eggs easier to see.
Video cams on a tripod are grat too for posterity.

[bailey]

Each hive can grow to 5 or so boxes this year.  Have supers ready. 
Bailey

[johng]

I was gonna say more boxes too. It is always a good idea to have a couple extra hives ready to go. Especially in the spring time. Once people know you keep bees you will get swarm calls. 

[iddee]

If you are using deeps, cross wire the foundation. If using mediums, I still wire, but it may not be needed. If shallows, wiring isn't needed.

[BlueBee]

I would add a couple of bee keeping books if you don’t have any.  There is often too much confusing advice on the forums.  I recommend buying a couple of modern bee keeping books and then download some of the free old Google books for more references.  The free Google books are out of copyright, so they’re like 100 years old.  However there is still a lot of good information in them. 

[edward]

A helpful mentor 

mvh edward 

[VolunteerK9]

Propane torch
Extra frames and hive bodies
And a can of Copenhagen to calm your nerves (optional) but its what I use-just remember that you have a veil on before you try to spit 

[indypartridge]

Practice with your smoker before your bees arrive. Experiment with different fuels, figure out what works best for you. When you can light it without much fuss, and can set it down and leave it for 15 minutes and still have it lit, then you're ready for bees.

[PLAN-B]

I never thought about practicing with my smoker, but thats a great idea, thanks... As far as a mentor i am adopting Bailey ---shhh he doesnt know it yet    ...lol... I had my neighbor cut me some 1x 8 on his sawmill and plan on using this to make extra boxes... Thanks for all the great advice-

[Michael Bush]

Bees.  Don't forget those...

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesoptions.htm#recommend
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnewbees.htm

[goatmanbees]

One good thing I learned practicing with the smoker. If you have paper wasps around your house, shed, etc.  Smoke them!!!  In my experience, they fly away and don't come back.

[10framer]

if la. is like alabama and georgia you've got plenty of free smoker fuel.  i use pine straw. 

[Joe D]

Something I use a lot, some people don't, is a good dolly.  One that has good size tires and a set of wheels that can be put down at the top end.  When I do inspections I will stack the boxes I have gone through on it, with it on the 4 wheels.  And when you move hives or are taking full supers off for harvest it comes in handy.



Joe

[mikecva]

I like having a second hive tool in case I drop the one I am using (they never seam to go straight down), a good spray bottle (I use a light spray for quick work rather then smoke) and a drape to put over an open colony rather then messing with the inter cover. 

Welcome to beekeeping and the forum.  -Mike