{"id":45729,"date":"2026-03-16T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/?p=45729"},"modified":"2026-03-12T11:58:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T18:58:48","slug":"beekeeping","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/beekeeping\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00a0Beekeeping"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-45734\" width=\"331\" height=\"417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping5.jpg 397w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping5-238x300.jpg 238w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 331px) 100vw, 331px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Best beginners\u2019 guide to bees<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/geni.us\/AOG3\">Beekeeping for Dummies<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the years I\u2019ve kept a few hives of bees for honey. And I have a whole shelf of bee books. Beekeeping for Dummies is my current best choice for a beginner\u2019s introduction to bees. As in many subjects, there is nothing like attending a local hands-on workshop as way to learn fast, but you could get a few hives going in your backyard using just the clear step-by-step instructions in this book alone. It\u2019ll guide you through basic bee biology, safety concerns, using the gear, and how to get bees. More than any other beekeeping tutorial it anticipates most questions newbies will have. It also offer guidance on what to do with your bounty of honey and wax. Bees are eternally fascinating and there\u2019s a library of other classic bee books to follow up with, but this one is the best place to start. \u2014&nbsp;<em>KK<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping4.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-45733\" width=\"564\" height=\"314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping4.jpg 768w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping4-300x167.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px\" \/><figcaption>A little smoke under the hive cover calms any of the colony\u2019s guard bees that may be upstairs.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><strong>Knowing when it\u2019s time for more smoke<\/strong> A few minutes into your inspection, you may notice that the bees allhave lined up between the top bars like racehorses at the startinggate. Their little heads are all in a row between the frames. Kind ofcute, aren\u2019t they? They\u2019re watching you. That\u2019s your signal to givethe girls a few more puffs of smoke to disperse them again so thatyou can continue with your inspection.<\/li><li><strong>Having Realistic Expectations<\/strong> In your first year, don\u2019t expect too much of a honey harvest. Sorry,but a newly established colony doesn\u2019t have the benefit of a full seasonof foraging. Nor has it had an opportunity to build its maximumpopulation. I know that\u2019s disappointing news. But be patient. Nextyear will be a bonanza!Beekeeping is like farming. the actual yield depends upon the weather. Many warm, sunny days with ample rain results in more flowers and greater nectar flows. When gardens flourish, so do bees. If Mother Nature works in your favor, a hive can produce 60 to 100 pounds of surplus honey (that\u2019s the honey you can take form the bees), or more. If you live in a warm climate (like Florida or Southern California) you can expect multiple harvests each year. But remember that your bees need you to leave some honey for their own use. In cold climates leave them 60 pounds, in climates with no winter, leave 20 to 30 pounds.<\/li><li>A fume board looks like an outer cover with a flannel lining. A liquid bee repellent is applied to the flannel lining and the fume board is placed on top of the honey supers (in place of the inner and outer covers). Within five minutes, the bees are repelled out of the honey supers and down into the brood chamber. Instant success! The honey supers can then be safely removed and taken to your harvesting area.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping3.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-45732\" width=\"357\" height=\"409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping3.jpg 475w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping3-262x300.jpg 262w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 357px) 100vw, 357px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Cheapest way to start bees<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mannlakeltd.com\/hives-components\/beginner-essentials\/new-bee-beginner-beekeeping-starter-kit\/?srsltid=AfmBOorEnP4scqvyFuHc9bG3V4hNYc375Um73S3wcJbQwDZEvshpoud9\">Mann Lake Beekeeping Starter Kit<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the least expensive kit for starting beekeeping. It has everything you need to raise some honey, except 3 things. You\u2019ll need bees; order them by mail separately, or find a swarm. You\u2019ll need to add at least one \u201cupper\u201d story of frames to store your share of the honey, and you\u2019ll need access to an extractor \u2014 extracting honey by hand from this upper is possible but extremely messy. With care the equipment included should last many decades. You need only keep adding boxes of frames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Used bee equipment is not advisable these days because of rampant bee disease. A beginner should start with new gear. There are a few sources with cheaper kits, but their shipping costs \u2014 between costs $60-$90 \u2014 will kill any bargain. Mann Lake offers free shipping, a fantastic deal with such bulky stuff. Also, their boxes and frames come fully assembled, which is also not the norm. That can save you several hours, and for a beginner, it provides assurance everything is right. Get the unpainted option; that\u2019s easy enough to do and you can choose your color (they don\u2019t have to be white).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have Amazon Prime you can get the same deal through Amazon. \u2014&nbsp;<em>KK<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-45731\" width=\"521\" height=\"318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping2.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping2-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping2-768x468.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 521px) 100vw, 521px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The Basic Starter Kit Includes:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Assembled Hive Bodies or Supers<\/li><li>Assembled Frames with Rite-Cell\u00ae Foundation&nbsp;<strong>OR<\/strong><br>Waxed Standard Plastic Frames<\/li><li>Assembled Telescoping Cover w\/Inner Cover<\/li><li>Assembled Bottom Board w\/Reducer<\/li><li>9 1\/2\u201d (24.13 cm) Hive Tool<\/li><li>Economy Leather Gloves (Large, color may vary)<\/li><li>Alexander Bee Veil<\/li><li>Dome Top Smoker w\/Guard<\/li><li>\u201cThe New Starting Right With Bees\u201d Book<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-45730\" width=\"339\" height=\"339\" srcset=\"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping1.jpg 512w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/files\/2026\/03\/beekeeping1-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 339px) 100vw, 339px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3><strong>Human-powered honey removal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mannlakeltd.com\/extracting-bottling\/honey-extracting-equipment\/1-10-hives\/18-9-frame-hand-crank-radial-extractor\/?srsltid=AfmBOorHRT0IAedg1useLHz38Vfq9eCUDt8pjL9_RzpUuixJe6DxSOjT\">Hand Crank Honey Extractor<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This gorgeous, stainless steel spinning extractor, made in Italy for Mann Lake, sits in a privileged part of our living room and sometimes serves as a coffee table. But come extraction time, I not only use this beauty in my yard, I share it with my beekeeping friends. It\u2019s about the size of a medium garbage can, so it\u2019s easy to load into the car. It fits three frames at a time \u2014 the perfect amount for backyard beekeepers who often need to extract only 9 frames at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s no plug, no motor, just human arm power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inside is a metal carriage or rack you slide your frames into. Each side of the frame has honeycomb, so you need to flip the frames to get the honey out of both sides. But most backyard beekeepers are curious and want to check out the progress of the extraction process, anyhow. Watching the honey splatter on the inside edges of the extractor is very satisfying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also very satisfying to hold up the frame to the light and see that the honey has been sucked out of the comb and is now dripping down the inside of the extractor. And therein lies the beauty of this hand-crank model: the spigot. The honey flows down the sides of the extractor and coalesces in a pool. One only has to turn the spigot and out drips your liquid gold. I never filter or heat my honey so we just hold jars under the spigot. Viola!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clean up is simple \u2014 just put the extractor near the beehive. The bees will lick up the remaining honey. And before I put it back in the living room, I like to pour a few buckets of hot soapy water just to make sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mann Lake makes a few extractors, including a cheaper 3-frame model. However, cheaper models have the crank on top instead of on the side, which makes it more difficult to spin (can you say instant tennis elbow?). I\u2019ve also heard it\u2019s harder to get the spinner moving fast enough to splatter the honey. With this extractor (the HH-190), the crank is on the side, which is more ergonomically friendly. The next model up is motorized, which I think you need only if you\u2019re a commercial size beekeeper or elderly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Beekeeping involves buying a lot of equipment (an&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/yourcityfarmer.blogspot.com\/\">urban farmer<\/a>, I have been beekeeping since 1999 and bought this extractor two years ago). Paradoxically, while we\u2019re in it for the long haul and strive to buy quality, long-lasting equipment, we also pride ourselves on being thrifty, and some of us border on the edge of being Luddites. For example, in order to extract the bee\u2019s hard-earned honey, a beekeeper must remove the frames of honeycomb, slice off the capped honey and then somehow extract the sticky ambrosia. I\u2019m proud to say I\u2019ve never used one of those electric, plug-in hot knives for uncapping the comb. I use a pot of boiling water and a good kitchen knife, and simply dunk the knife in the water for a time, wipe it off and then slice. No cord, no expense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I feel the same way about my extractor: It\u2019s a nice synthesis of human and machine. Before I got on I used to try to use a bowl, some pans and gravity. This is impossible in a place like California with all these ants! And it just takes forever to let the honey drip out. This machine allows us to speed up the extraction process, but not too much. \u2014&nbsp;<em>Novella Carpenter<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Once a week we\u2019ll send out a page from Cool Tools: A Catalog of Possibilities. The tools might be outdated or obsolete, and the links to them may or may not work. We present these vintage recommendations as is because\u00a0the possibilities they inspire are new.\u00a0<em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/toolsforpossibilities.substack.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up here<\/a>\u00a0to get Tools for Possibilities a week early in your inbox.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tools for Possibilities: issue no. 181<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13684,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[2387],"tags":[2388],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45729"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13684"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45729"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45729\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":45735,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45729\/revisions\/45735"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45729"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45729"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kk.org\/cooltools\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45729"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}