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We would love to help you become an urban beekeeper!
STEP 1: Find a mentor and local beekeeping community to join!
The single best way to learn is to get some hands-on mentoring: before you get bees, while you have bees, and then pay it forward and become a mentor. All aspiring beekeepers need to find a mentor or take classes before getting bees. Members of HoneyLove can join us at the Sanctuary each month—check the events page for full details on how to join us!
Become a member here: http://honeylove.org/membership/
STEP 2: Get educated!
Pick up a book or two and learn all you can about beekeeping BEFORE getting bees!
Check out Save The Bees BOOK – written by HoneyLove founders Rob & Chelsea McFarland
STEP 3: Get your gear!
Below is a list of the basic tools/gear we recommend to get started as an urban beekeeper. You can purchase these locally at a beekeeping store or online.
Below are links you can use to order your gear/supplies online:
Full Suit & Veil: https://www.humblebee.us/protective-equipment/beekeeping-suits/polycotton-beekeeping-suit-with-fencing-veil/ (Members of HoneyLove receive a 10% discount, email us to get the code!)
Smoker: https://www.dadant.com/catalog/tools/smokers/m00927-smoker-4×7-with-shield-stainless-steel
Hive Tool: https://www.dadant.com/catalog/tools/m00760-9-5-yellow-hive-tool-each
Gloves: https://www.humblebee.us/protective-equipment/beekeeping-gloves/cowhide-beekeeping-gloves-with-extended-sleeves/
(Members of HoneyLove receive a 10% discount, email us to get the code!)
Bottom Board: https://www.dadant.com/catalog/hive-parts/bottom-boards/b91101-bottom-board-standard-c-1-10-fr
Medium Hive Bodies (we recommend 2+): https://www.dadant.com/catalog/hive-parts/hive-bodies/b51201-hive-body-empty-10-fr
Super (we recommend 2+):
https://www.dadant.com/catalog/hive-parts/extracting-supers/b31201-super-6-5-8-empty-c-1-10-fr
Medium Frames (ask for assembled / foundationless):
https://www.dadant.com/catalog/hive-parts/super-frames/b76110-frames-6-1-4-wtb-gbb-c-10
Or you can visit our Local Los Angeles Beekeeping Supply Stores (always a good idea to call ahead)
- Los Angeles Honey Co – 1559 Fishburn Ave, Los Angeles 90063 | (323) 264-2383
Other products available from smile.amazon.com (make sure to pick HoneyLove as your charity!):
Linseed Oil (to paint the outside of your hive)
The bee-friendly plants, as well as a water source of your choosing you can pick up from your local nursery. The water source featured above is a terra cotta saucer (20″ or so) and some red river rocks or Mexican beach pebbles. Simply fill the saucer with the rocks and some water – this will serve as your bees water source and must be set up before getting your bees.
Become a member of HoneyLove and learn to be an urban beekeeper!
Plant an organic garden without the pesticides that harm honeybees!
Provide a water source on your property – bees love clean water to drink!