Established in 1924, Kelley Beekeeping manufactures more than 3,000 beekeeping products. These include specialty supplies like woodenware units for keeping hives, protective clothing and honey extraction equipment.
Located in Grayson County, Kentucky, Kelley Beekeeping serves the region with bees and products for both professional and hobbyist beekeepers. Its expansion has created a state-of-the-art manufacturing and showroom facility.
Beekeeping Supplies
Beekeepers need a variety of supplies to keep their hives in tip-top shape. This includes hive boxes/supers, frames and foundation, queen catchers, pest control / treatments, honey harvesting and bottling equipment, extractors, and more.
Beekeeping suits and jackets are an important part of your beekeeping supplies. They protect your face and neck from stings and prevent bee waste from staining your clothing.
You can also purchase bee veils to wear over your suit or jacket. Veils come in many different colors and styles.
Another essential beekeeping supply is a bee smoker. A bee smoker is a tool that produces smoke to calm your bees during the honey extraction process.
Besides these supplies, you should have bee gloves to help protect your hands from stings. This is especially important if you are new to beekeeping.
Beekeeping Equipment
Beekeepers use a variety of equipment to help them manage their hives. This includes hive kits, protective clothing, hive management and protection tools, bee health supplies, extractors and bottling equipment.
The basic pieces of equipment include hive boxes and foundations. They come in a variety of styles and sizes. It is important to get a hive box that matches the depth of the hive frames you plan to install in it.
A smoker is another piece of beekeeping equipment that should be purchased by a new beekeeper. Smoking calms the bees and makes it easier for them to work in the hive.
Purchasing a smoker can also be beneficial for the bees since they are less likely to sting you while you handle their hive. They are available in a range of sizes and can be used with wood chips, leaves or pine needles.
It is important to choose a beekeeping tool that has brightly-colored plastic handles so the beekeeper can find it easily during a job. It is also good to have a hive tool that has a long, sharp blade so it can be used to pry apart frames or remove wax and propolis.
Beekeeping Books
If you are a beginner in beekeeping, you will need a few good books to help you learn more about the hobby. You will also want to read books that are authored by experienced beekeepers.
The best beekeeping books will teach you the basics of beekeeping, as well as give you insight into different styles of beekeeping and how to use beeswax in a variety of products. You will also find helpful tips and advice in these books, which are important for a new beekeeper to have.
Another great thing about beekeeping books is that they can be used to solve problems you may encounter as a beekeeper. For instance, you may find that your hive is not producing enough honey or that you are losing bees to disease.
This book helps you diagnose these issues and gives you ready solutions to fix them. It will also help you develop a keen eye for these issues and prevent them from happening in the future.
Beekeeping Videos
Beekeeping videos are a great way to learn new beekeeping techniques and tips. You can find videos on beekeeping equipment, bee removals, hive inspections, and honey harvesting methods.
The YouTube platform is a great place to find a range of beekeeping video channels. There are videos from experienced beekeepers, as well as those who have recently taken up beekeeping and are eager to share their knowledge with others.
Having the right advice and tips can be vital for kelley beekeeping. However, it is important to note that anyone can start a channel on YouTube, and you may not be sure of the experience of the presenter or the advice they are giving.
This is why it is important to watch a variety of beekeeping videos before making any decisions about what to do with your bees or equipment. By doing so, you can avoid dangerous beekeeping practices and illegal beekeeping equipment that could harm your bees or make them sick.