Buckfastbee wrote: ↑13 Aug 2019, 09:49
Is there a list for idiots on here somewhere that I can start coveting?
You need more kit than you can ever imagine. Lots of companies do starter kits which give you the essentials in one hit. Check out the Abelo stuff at £315 including hive/frames/foundation 2 supers bee suit, smoker hive tool etc.
https://www.abelo.co.uk/shop/beekeeping-starter-kits/beekeeping-starter-kit/
Of course you need to make a decision if you are going to use wooden hives or Poly. I've used both over the years and have settled on Poly hives as 1. they are far cheaper and 2. My bees seem to fare better in them than in wooden hives. But it can be a contentious issue....
Oh and the best bit of advice is have 2 hives with bees in and at least 2 spare nuc boxes or hives. It will save you endless trouble. with your own swarm management and also, sa,y you lose a queen and only have one hive where are you going to get another queen from...dead easy you place a frame of eggs from your other hive into the queen less one.
Also sort out where you are going to keep your bees. Gardens with nearby neighbours is a disaster waiting to happen unless you have a second apiary. to move an aggressive colony of bees to.
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But good luck, you will find it a fascinating pursuit to which you can adapt to do your own thing .