Essential items

[rayz_x]

Starting my third year now and I have seen a lot of new starters. I would say two things are important...

Membership of an association. This gives you access to a lot of advice. That is always better than one mentor. It also means you have the opportunity to contribute as well as receive help. There are always plenty of things to do, even without experience, but often too few putting a hand up to volunteer.

Second thing is gloves. I have seen so many people use loose, dirty leather gloves. They are a hygiene hazard and very clumsy. It's an individual thing but I like the blue plastic coated ones with gauntlets. You can clean them with soda between every hive.

Ray

 

[johnnie1uk]

hola,
did you manage to find any beekeeping kit in your local area ?

Im still checking places out, the Spanish online shops seem to have some good deals.

 

[johnnie1uk]

Starting my third year now and I have seen a lot of new starters. I would say two things are important...

Membership of an association. This gives you access to a lot of advice. That is always better than one mentor. It also means you have the opportunity to contribute as well as receive help. There are always plenty of things to do, even without experience, but often too few putting a hand up to volunteer.

Second thing is gloves. I have seen so many people use loose, dirty leather gloves. They are a hygiene hazard and very clumsy. It's an individual thing but I like the blue plastic coated ones with gauntlets. You can clean them with soda between every hive.

Ray

Thanks, that's helped me make a decision on gloves

 

[Tomo]

Haynes beekeeping manual for reference, a sense of humour, smoker fuel, queen clip, marking kit, good workable gloves, EBKA membership, the phone number of a mentor. That's just for starters. Not to forget a good portion of luck!

 

[Swarm]

Unless you are in the habit of visiting other peoples apiaries and going through their hives, you are not going to spread any disease. Leather gloves can be cleaned and treated, it's just that some people simply don't know how.

See how you get on with nitriles or marigolds.

 

[johnnie1uk]

hola,
did you manage to find any beekeeping kit in your local area ?

No, hopeless, so after checking around im going with this online shop ----http://mieldelvalledelospedroches.com/index.htm
seem to have everything im looking for.

 

[beeno]

Hi johnnie,
You need to have the spare time to look after them properly. Have fun.

 

[johnnie1uk]

Hi johnnie,
You need to have the spare time to look after them properly. Have fun.

hi Beeno
thanks, im semi retired so that wont be a problem

 

[MartinL]

A healthy bank account.

You'll always "Need" something you don't have!

Also be warned, Iberian bees tend to have a longer sting than others so a good quality suit is important.

Memorable quote was "straight through suit, trousers & underpants"!

 

[johnnie1uk]

A healthy bank account.

You'll always "Need" something you don't have!

Also be warned, Iberian bees tend to have a longer sting than others so a good quality suit is important.

Memorable quote was "straight through suit, trousers & underpants"!

Thanks for the info on the longer stings,good job im thick (skinned), actually the bees round here seem very friendly, I was picking the clementines the other day and there was a mass of bees on the new blossom and they took no notice of me at all.
Re- Healthy bank account
Im having a job to buy any equipment, obviously im looking for the keenest prices and kit here is priced at around half what it is in the UK, BUT, there doesnt appear to be any local suppliers and nationally there is only four on the net, two have online shops, but you have to order by phone or email, and the other two are out of stock on most items.
I tried to order from the online shop by phone and no one was picking up, so emailed an order but have received no response.
I cant believe that for a country with reputedly 2.4 million hives (roughly 18000 bees per person) that it is so difficult to get equipment.

 

[johnnie1uk]

hola,
did you manage to find any beekeeping kit in your local area ?

Finally got my hives and equipment and the recommended gear, a pallet full of stuff, all delivered for 42 euros, from http://mieldelvalledelospedroches.com/index.htm great prices too.

 

[johnnie1uk]

And now ive got the bees, i installed the package (solo) this evening, everything went great, it was really good to actually get in amongst them instead of just watching You Tube action.