When I first decided to get into beekeeping, I knew I might have to spend a few hundred dollars. What I didn’t know was that I’d need to take out a second mortgage and sell a kidney to sustain my beekeeping habit. Okay, maybe it’s not that bad, but beekeeping is a lot more expensive than most newcomers think.
This post will give you a detailed, realistic look at what beekeeping actually costs, both up front and over time. Whether you’re starting with one hive or planning to scale up, these numbers will help you decide if this is the right year to dive in.
Before You Spend a Dime: You Need a Varroa Plan
If you’re not prepared to deal with varroa mites, beekeeping might not be for you. It sounds harsh, but here’s the truth: every hive in North America will get varroa mites. If you don’t have a treatment plan in place before you install bees, you’re setting yourself up for failure and wasting every dollar you’re about to spend.
Varroa mites are external parasites that attach to honey bees and feed on their fat bodies. More importantly, they act as vectors for a number of devastating viruses, most notably deformed wing virus (DWV) and acute bee paralysis virus. I often call varroa “the HIV of the bee world” because of how it opens the door for other infections and weakens the colony over time.
There are a lot of treatment options out there, and not all of them are chemical. But you do need to monitor, understand, and act. I’ll be writing a full post soon covering everything you need to know about varroa mites and treatment strategies, and I’ll link to it here as soon as it’s live.
Year 1 Costs: What It Takes to Get Started
Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you’ll spend when starting out with beekeeping. I typically recommend starting with two hives. This will provide you with something to compare to when assessing activity level and one hive can provide resources to and support another one under certain circumstances. As we progress through the list it is important to understand the differences between the words: hive and colony. The colony is the group of bees consisting of a queen, workers, and drones. The hive is the physical box or boxes in which the colony resides.
Beehive & Bee Costs
- Langstroth Hive (1x):Â $200
- Two Hives (recommended):Â $400
- Nucleus Colony: $175-$250 per colony
- Package (per hive):Â $125-$150 per colony
- Two Colonies of Bees:Â $400
Protective Gear
- Full suit, gloves, and veil:Â $200
Basic Tools
- Hive tool, smoker, etc.:Â $100
Feeding Setup
- Feeder + sugar for spring/fall:Â $100
Ongoing Costs: Year After Year
After the first year, you’ll still have expenses. They aren’t as heavy as the startup costs, but they add up quickly:
- Pest treatments (varroa, hive beetles):Â ~$100/year (figure on spending at least $50/colony)
- Replacement frames & foundation:Â ~$50/year per hive
- Paint/touch-ups:Â ~$15/year
- Supplemental feeding: $20–$200 depending on nectar flow
- Emergency queen or colony replacement:Â Up to $300
Hidden and Unexpected Costs
These are the expenses no one talks about in the glossy getting-started guides:
- Storage:Â extra supers, boxes, and jars for honey (~$200)
- Travel: picking up bees or driving to events ($20–$100)
- Licensing or state registration (varies by state)
- Gear replacements when things break or wear out
Expansion and Upgrades: The Addiction is Real
Once you’re in, chances are you’ll want to expand. Here’s what that looks like:
- Second hive setup:Â $200
- Second package or nuc:Â $175 (average)
- Honey extractor + tools:Â $100 (manual) to $5,000 (commercial)
- Swarm traps:Â ~$15 each (DIY is cheaper)
- Monitoring tools (optional): $100–$300
- Nuc boxes for splits/swarm catches: $25–$50 each
We’ll be publishing:
- A step-by-step post on how to build a nuc box
- A guide for building 3 swarm traps from one sheet of plywood
- A full post on swarm trapping strategy for beginners
So, what does it all add up to?If you’re starting with one hive and sticking to the basics, plan on spending around $1,200–$1,500 in your first year. Starting with two hives? Expect closer to $1,800–$2,000, depending on your gear, feeding, and IPM (Integrated Pest Management) needs.
Is Beekeeping Worth It?
If you’re looking for a $200 backyard hobby, this probably isn’t it. But if you’re ready to invest some time, money, and effort, beekeeping can be one of the most fascinating and rewarding experiences out there.
We’ll soon be publishing:
- A step-by-step post on how to build a nuc box
- A guide for building 3 swarm traps from one sheet of plywood
- A full post on swarm trapping strategy for beginners and
- How to start beekeeping on a budget
- Packages vs Nucs – Which one is right for me?
Related Posts:
- Top 10 Things to Consider Before Getting Into Beekeeping
- Top 10 Beekeeping Supplies I Actually Use (And Why You Should Too)