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	Basic Beekeeping Equipment
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Every beekeeper needs a set of equipment to manage their hives.  The exact form of the equipment may vary, and one person may have items another does not.  The items listed on this page represent the basic set of equipment most beekeepers need, but they are listed in order of relative importance, from absolutely mandatory at the top of the list to completely optional at the bottom.

Stainless Steel Smoker	Smoker Even if you don't buy any other equipment, get a smoker.  It is the most important item of beekeeping equipment you can own.  You may be able to do without all the other basic equipment, although that is not recommended, but a good smoker is absolutely necessary.  Proper use of a smoker makes it possible to manage the hives, since the honeybees remain docile while you have the hive open.  Not using a smoker virtually guarantees stings for the beekeeper and others nearby, and will cause the colony to be more aggressive into the future.
Bee Suit	Bee Suit In the long run, a good bee suit pays for itself by keeping you from getting stung as you work the hives.  It accomplishes this by giving your body physical protection from stings, keeping the honeybees from crawling into your clothes, masking your body odor, and presenting to the bees a non-irritating color (white) that doesn't make your body a sting target, as darker colors will do.  If you are working in the direct sun, it may also keep you cooler, since it reflects the sun's radiation.  The BeeCARE Full Body Suit is shown here.
Old-style hat and veil	Bee Hat & Veil Other important equipment items to own are a bee hat and a good veil if your bee suit doesn't already provide these.  They are critical in keeping bees away from your most vulnerable targets -- your head and neck. A separate hat and veil are not required with a more convenient bee suit, such as the BeeCARE Full Body Suit.  With this suit, the veil and hat are integrated and much more convenient.
Steel hive tool Steel frame lifter & scraper	Hive Tools These are handy gadgets to have in your equipment inventory.  They come in various styles, the most common being the "hive tool", shown at the top.  However, the fancier tool at the bottom, a "frame lifter and scraper", excels at many hive jobs.
Leather bee gloves	Gloves Bee gloves prevent the bees from stinging your hands (usually) and keep them from crawling up inside your sleeves.  But we don't recommend you wear them when you are working the hives in most situations.  Use gloves only for risky situations.
Bee brush	Bee Brush A bee brush is used to brush bees off things you don't want them on, namely yourself.  Use a bee brush rarely and judiciously, as bees really don't like being brushed.
Ankle / wrist straps	Ankle and Wrist Straps These items are completely optional, but are nice if your bee suit or clothing doesn't have built-in means of sealing up your pants legs and sleeve cuffs.

BeeCARE Full Body Suit
Beekeeper's Clothing
Catalog - Beekeeping Equipment
Lighting the Smoker
Opening and Inspecting the Hive
Opening and Feeding the Hive
Preparing to Visit the Apiary

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