Best Place to Get Bee Equipment?

[Alessandra Rizzotti]

Hi guys,

I’ve been volunteering with Honeylove and occasionally going out to beekeep. I’d like to start doing it more regularly. I need to get a suit, smoker, and hive tool. Know of any places where I can get them affordably? Is Dadant good? Mountain Brushy Farms?

[Max Morgan]

If you’re on a budget and a hobby beekeeper, check out Pestmall.com. Their stuff is not commercial grade but is VERY reasonably priced and is more than adequate for the hobby beekeeper. Also, their customer service is very good and most items ship for free.

[susan rudnicki]

Alessandra—I think it all depends on what you are looking for and whether shipping costs are justified by the item you are buying. My full suit came from Brushy Mountain in North Carolina, but the need for a strong, bee proof full suit with elastics and zippers around the ankles is why I chose theirs. For cutouts, I want full coverage. Our 2 local suppliers, Pierce-Mieras in Fullerton and LA Honey in east LA have all the bee hiveware and tools I need, but the choices in clothing is more limited. Look over the on-line catalogs and choose the clothing you think best meets your needs, but be prepared to pay shipping from possibly great distance. There are suits made of several layers of loosely woven synthetic materials that boast of being much cooler to wear and are bee proof—the Breeze from Pigeon Mountain is one of these. My bee buddies, both men, really like theirs.
There is a new supplier just started up—TheValleyHive.com–out in Chatsworth, but I do not know how much clothing they have. Susan

[ron capri]

Yes, I have one of the bee proof suits, all mesh. It is breezy and cool. I love it. Mine was offered by Mann Lake, I believe.

I recommend the round veil with supportive rim, hat or whatever.

[Chelsea McFarland]

If you do end up purchasing through The Valley Hive make sure to mention you are a HoneyLover and they will donate 10% of your purchase HoneyLove.org

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