Beginners

Download Membership Form

The first thing to do when you decide that you want to keep bees is to join East Grinstead Beekeepers Association. This will have many benefits, including help and advice on starting up and also giving you the chance to handle bees before you spend any money. Check out the Membership to get full details. Members also receive a discount on our annual beginners course – which will provide the basic theory to help you start out in beekeeping, some initial practical skills and a chance to handle bees in the company of experienced beekeepers.

For the new beekeeper, the help and advice given can be invaluable. You should learn how to handle bees before you take the plunge as you may find that you don’t like handling bees. A really full and busy hive at the height of the season can be very daunting at first. East Grinstead Beekeepers can help you with this at either an apiary meeting or at one of our member’s own apiaries.

Most beekeeping groups, including ourselves, are affiliated to the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) and this provides benefits like insurance which can be useful. The National Bee Unit (NBU) host a database of all apiaries which enables them to run a regular programme of disease checks and notify beekeepers if a disease outbreak has occured near their bees.

Be careful not to get too carried away by spending lots of money as a lot of the things in the beekeeping catalogues are not essential, especially for the new beekeeper – see our Equipment page.

Equipment

Hives

There are various types of hive and each beekeeper will say that the type they use is best. There are various things to think about when choosing which type you would like to use, these include size and weight the bigger hives can become very heavy when full of brood and honey. If you wish to look at different types in use your local association should be able to help. The most commonly used hive in England is the National Hive. Do beware of buying second-hand as some can go for more than new and can transfer diseases. If you do still want to buy a second hand hive, do take an experienced beekeeper with you. Make sure it is cleaned and disinfected.

Gloves

You can purchase leather gauntlets which can give the new beekeeper some degree of confidence, however they do get dirty and are hard to clean. Marigold or latex gloves are useful and can be discarded when dirty.

Smoker

This is definitley an essential, a small one is adequate when you start. Bigger ones are better when you have several hives. Most beekeepers upgrade their smoker after the first season or so to a bigger model.

Suit

This is definitley an essential and come in a variety of designs from just a hood, a smock or a full bee suit. You can try these out at our apiary or an event where the main suppliers exhibit.

Tool

There are many different designs of hive tool from fairly simpe that help open the hive and lift frames to very complex that can be used for hive and frame repair and maintenance.
It’s worth trying the complex ones before buying.

Extraction

To extract your honey you will need:

  • Uncapping tool
  • Extractor (manual or electric)
  • Honey stainer
  • Settling tank

All of these can be hired from EGBKA at a nominal cost and we run an annual extraction day to train new beekeepers and use a range of tools and a couple of extractors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become a Beekeeper?

The best way to become a beekeeper is to attend an introductory course, join your local beekeeping association and attend meetings and events where you can handle bees.

Or

Get some bees and some equipment and learn from Youtube, courses and books. See our Beginners page for more information.

What equipment do I need to become a beekeeper.
A list of equipment can be found on the Beginners page.
I've got a swarm in my garden, what should I do?

Check out our Swarms page and if you are sure they are Honeybees, contact our swarm co-ordinator at swarms@egbka.org.uk

I've already got bees. Can I still join EGBKA?
Yes you can. Having your own bees will help you learn and being in contact with other association members will provide you advice and support.
How do I become a member of EGBKA?

To become a member download the membership form and return it to secretary@egbka.org.uk.

I've got bees in my chimney or wall or loft what should I do?

We are not able to help remove bees from buildings etc. This is not covered by our British Beekeepers Association insurance.

There are number of good bee removal companies in Sussex, a quick internet search will find them.