How Much Does A Bee Colony Cost?
Have you been asking yourself, “how much does a bee colony cost?” The conversation is coming, it is a conversation you’ll have with yourself, the minister of finance (your partner) or, hopefully not, your bank manager. I really think that the fear of getting stung is outweighed by the initial startup costs for those interested in getting a bee farm up and running.
For those of us that have taken the plunge and got our hives up and running, cost is important but not as important as the pride and self-satisfaction of keeping happy bees. Knowing you are the ‘parent’ of a thriving colony that is helping your local and wider community really puts the cost of a bee colony in the shade. Oh yeah, and honey, don’t forget the honey, mmmm honey 🍯 🙂
To give you an idea of the average costs of starting your own bee colony, keep reading.
Buying a complete hive makes sense!
How Much Does the Beehive Cost?
A key component when determining how much a bee colony does cost is considering a hive. Purchasing a complete hive makes the best sense here. This means the brood chambers, supers, frames with foundations, bottom board, inner cover and a top cover. An entrance reducer and queen excluder (if you’re going to use one) are a bonus. Check our previous post regarding beehives to assist your journey here. We recommend this Bee Castle complete hive setup. It has a combination of deep brood and medium super with 10 frames. Waxed up and ready to go, this really is a winner.
Bee Castle Hive – complete set
Beehive
$140
How Much Do Bees Cost?
You have four basic choices here:
Nucleus Hive
Known as a ‘nuc’, this is a miniature bee farm in a box. Usually they are five frames with everything you need. Available in spring. Average cost is around the $150 mark.
Split or Full Hive
Consisting of multiple frames from a happy hive put into a new box. Everything is there and ready to go. Prices fluctuate wildly depending on how many frames you purchase, think something like $150 – $350.
Swarm
Go for it if you have assistance from your local apiary club or a mentor. Not recommended for the solo pilot with no experience, no matter how much YouTube you watch. Cost – free.
Beehive Package
The most popular choice. Get your orders in early for a local pick up for the best chance of success. As this is the most popular choice, we’ll put this into our costings. Average cost around $139
Beehive
Bees
$140
$150
What Equipment Will I Need to Start Beekeeping?
We’re on about the hardware items a bee farm needs to function. This is an important consideration when calculating how much does a bee colony cost. Items you’ll need are a smoker, a grip tool, a bee brush, some hooking tools and uncapping tools.
This all in one kit from BeeCastle fits the bill.
BeeCastle Beekeeping Kit
If you wish to purchase individual items, we have some great reads. Check the articles on the best uncapping tools and the best beehive smokers.
Beehive
Bees
Equipment
$140
$150
$ 40
How Much Does a Beesuit Cost?
Here’s where personal preference and colony size is going to play a big part. We’ll just focus on what you need to get started. A beesuit is an essential item for beginners. Don’t get fooled by those YouTube commandos going into their hives with zero protection – they definitely didn’t start that way. Keep yourself calm, get a beesuit. We are including some purpose-built gloves here too which are essential.
Beehive
Bees
Equipment
Suit and Gloves
$140
$150
$ 40
$ 30
What Else Do I Need to Start My Bee Farm?
The ancillaries, items that are essential but are not included in the kits. These are the tricky parts when figuring out how much a bee colony does cost. We’re talking about all the items you’ll need pre-harvest, so we’re not talking about buckets, jars and extractors. What you will need is a feeder and food (we reckon you can make your own), smoke fuel (until at least you’re confident), and mite and pest protection.
Here’s a rundown of some products that fit the bill:
Entrance Feeder
Bee Smoker Fuel
Varroa Mite Control
Beehive
Bees
Equipment
Suit and Gloves
Entrance Feeder, Smoker fuel &
Varroa Mite Control
$140
$150
$ 40
$ 30
$ 60
That’s a wrap!
So, how much does a bee colony cost? We’ve come up with around $420 pre-honey as our estimate. Round it to $500 to be safe. Keep in mind that this does not include some items. Notable exceptions from this list are a hive stand, some Mason jars for your feeder, pest control items specific to your area, and the big one – the extractor. Loan or hire an extractor if the secretary of the treasury is breathing down your neck!
Like everything, prices and availability change! But if you’re keen, save your dollars up and around $500 should see you through without too many surprises down the track.