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Getting started in beekeeping can feel overwhelming. Between equipment choices, seasonal timing, and managing live animals, there’s a lot to learn early on.

This guide from the Beekeeping Today Podcast is designed to simplify the process and help you take your first steps with confidence. Drawing from conversations with experienced beekeepers and researchers, this page brings together the essential knowledge you need to begin your beekeeping journey.

Whether you’re planning your first hive or just exploring the idea, this guide will help you understand what’s involved—and what matters most.

Why Keep Honey Bees?

Beekeeping offers a unique combination of science, agriculture, and connection to the natural world. Many new beekeepers are drawn by:

  • Supporting pollinators
  • Producing honey and beeswax
  • Learning more about honey bee biology
  • Connecting with local ecosystems

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are complex, highly social organisms, and successful beekeeping begins with understanding how the colony functions as a whole.

What You Need to Get Started

At its core, beekeeping requires just a few essential components:

Equipment

  • Hive (boxes, frames, bottom board, cover)
  • Protective gear (veil, suit, gloves)
  • Smoker and hive tool

Bees

  • Packages, nucs (nucleus colonies), or local splits

Location

  • Adequate sunlight
  • Access to forage
  • Protection from wind
  • Consideration of neighbors and local regulations

Starting simple is often the best approach. Many experienced beekeepers recommend beginning with one or two colonies to learn effectively.

Your First Year: What to Expect

Your first season is about learning, not maximizing honey production.

Key milestones include:

  • Installing your bees
  • Monitoring brood development
  • Watching population growth
  • Managing pests—especially Varroa mites
  • Preparing colonies for winter

Beekeeping follows a seasonal rhythm, and understanding that cycle is more important than any single technique.

New Beekeeper? Start Here

If you’re just getting started, these episodes will give you a strong foundation:

  • Introduction to beekeeping basics
  • Setting up your first hive
  • Understanding colony behavior
  • First-year expectations

Some Initial Considerations BEFORE You Start 

You think you want to keep bees, but do you have a good understanding of beekeeping's challenges and rewards? Despite increased difficulties such as varroa mites and other pests, beekeepers can manage their honey bees with available tools and reap the many benefits from maintaining healthy honey bee colonies.

Our conversation covers a range of topics crucial for beginners, from the philosophical—why we start beekeeping—to the practical—where and how to keep bees in various environments. Highlighting the significance of mentorship and community, the episode encourages new beekeepers to seek out experienced mentors and join local clubs for support and guidance.


  • Do You STILL Want To Keep Bees?

    You’ve made the decision to get started. What do you need, and how does this work? Jeff, Kim and Jim put a total of over 100 years experience in getting started. They’ve made a lot of the mistakes already, so you don’t have to. Topics covered include:

    • Bee Yard Location Considerations
    • Choosing a First Hive-Type
    • Protective Clothing
    • Smokers
    • Hive Tools
  • Where To Get Bees

    So you’ve got a good idea about what equipment you’ll need and where your bees will go, so now, where do you get bees? There are several ‘species’ of bees you will hear about, just like dogs breeds - cocker, shepherds, labradors, etc. They are similar in most ways, but each has some special traits you will want to investigate. Then, once you’ve decided what kind of bees will be best for you, how do you get them into that equipment you just picked out. Well, all manner of techniques exist…from the post office, from a local supplier or from a local beekeeper, and they come in all kinds of containers, so check out all the bees, and all the ways you can get them.

  • Developing Beekeeping Skills

    Purchasing beekeeping equipment and bees may seem straightforward, but developing the expertise to sustain a healthy colony is a journey that spans years. This episode explores the realities behind the idealized images of beekeeping, offering insights through stories and practical advice to make the craft more approachable. We highlight the critical role of mentorship, the benefits of engaging with local beekeeping communities, and the importance of understanding seasonal tasks. Additionally, we discuss how proper equipment usage, weather awareness, and adaptability in scheduling are essential to cater to your bees' needs year-round, emphasizing that a good mentor can significantly enhance this learning curve.
  • What About That Equipment?

    There are a couple of decisions you should make before the bees arrive. One of them being, will you build your own equipment, assemble a kit or start with old equipment donated by a club or someone getting out of the hobby. Each has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Also discussed in this episode is why, what, when and how to feed your bees. Does it make a difference? The short answer is... "Yes and, it depends..."

  • The Bees Arrived, Now What?!

    One of the most exciting, and absolutely wonderful events when you are just starting out is receiving your first order of bees and getting them into all that equipment you just built. There’s lots of ways to install them, and most will get the job done. Which way is tried and true?  We discuss your options.  Then, once they are installed... what do you do, what can you expect, and what’s normal? In this episode of the series, we get you into and past your first month of having bees.

  • You Are A Beekeeper!

    Once you get your brand-new bees established in your brand-new equipment, what happens? Well, the rest of the world wants to know what’s going on in that brand-new hive. Already your bees are making babies, gathering pollen and honey, and there’s even a few nasties that might come to visit. And you need to learn about them for sure. So make room in your hive for honey, for bees and take care of the issues that may arise, all here in the final segment of our special series, "How To Get Started With Bees".

  • The Three Ps of Beekeeping - Parasites, Pathogens and Pesticides

    From the pervasive threat of Varroa mites to the many nuances of local beekeeping, beekeepers need to maintain high-level overview of their bee health plan. In this episode, the team provides practical advice on monitoring the three Ps and treatment options, emphasizing the importance of integrated pest management and community support. The conversation underscores the necessity of ongoing education and proactive measures in maintaining healthy hives.  

 

Common Beginner Mistakes

New beekeepers often run into similar challenges:

  • Starting with too many colonies
  • Delaying Varroa management
  • Over-inspecting or under-inspecting
  • Expecting honey production in year one
  • Not understanding seasonal timing

Learning from these early helps build confidence and improve outcomes.

Building Good Beekeeping Habits

Successful beekeeping comes down to consistency and observation:

  • Regular hive checks
  • Keeping notes
  • Monitoring for pests and disease
  • Understanding what “normal” looks like

Over time, experience will help you recognize subtle changes in colony behavior and health.

Related Resources

As you continue learning, you may find these topics helpful:

  • Varroa mite management (see our Varroa Treatment Guide)
  • Queen health and colony performance
  • Seasonal management practices

 

Final Thoughts

Beekeeping is both rewarding and challenging. There’s always more to learn, and every season brings new experiences.

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. With the right foundation and a willingness to observe and adapt, you can build strong, healthy colonies and enjoy the process along the way.

Notable Honey Bee Obscura Podcast Episodes

  • Colony Collapse and Varroa, Plain Talk with Dr. David Peck (164)

    Colony collapse due to varroa infestation is a serious issue faced by all beekeepers in nearly every corner of the world. It is not IF you have these mites. You DO have these mites and you need to understand how to manage them to keep your colonies healthy. In this episode, Jim and David explore this complex and pressing issue in beekeeping.

 

Helpful Online Resources to Bookmark

 

Books

Magazines

Associations

YouTube Channels

 

What are who are your favorite resources for accurate, useful, information on beekeeping? Let us know!

 

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