No matter what city you are looking for beekeeping supplies in Florida, we’ve got you covered.
Florida Beekeeping
There are about 5000 registered beekeepers with more than 650,000 honey bee colonies in Florida.
The state of Florida has long and hot summers and winters that are mild. Honey bees are able to leave the hive most of the year. Queen honeybees can lay eggs almost any time of the year.
Florida’s honey industry is ranked number five in the US, producing about 15 million pounds of honey each year.
Tupelo honey, a favorite of most, comes from tupelo tree, located in the Florida panhandle.
Beekeeping Supplies Florida
Typical beekeeper supplies needed in Florida include:
Woodenware
The most popular bee hive in the US is the 10-frame Langstroth hive, originally patented in 1852. This hive, for over 170 years, has been the industry standard.
The hive components include:
- Hive body
- Bottom board
- Honey super
- Frames
- Hive cover
- Inner cover
Beekeeper Protective Clothing
The most common protective gear for beekeepers include:
Beekeeping Suits
Both canvas beekeeping suits and ventilated bee suits are available.
Beekeeping Jackets
Canvas bee jackets and ventilated bee jackets are available.
Beekeeping Gloves
Goatskin bee gloves and cowhide bee gloves are available.
Many times, a combo pack of a bee suit and bee gloves may be available at a discount.
Please note: Your beekeeping suit or beekeeping jacket should come with a veil included.
Beekeeping Equipment and Tools
Here is a list of some common beekeeping tools:
- Hive tool
- Hive smoker
- Queen marker
- Bee Brush
- Hive feeder
- Entrance reducer
Where to buy bees and nucs in Florida?
The state association is the Florida State Beekeepers Association.
One of the best places to purchase queen bees, packaged bees and nucleus hives (nucs) is your local bee club.
Here is an alphabetical list of local bee clubs in Florida:
- Alachua County Beekeepers Club
- Apalachee Beekeepers Association
- Beekeepers of Putnam County
- Beekeepers of Volusia County
- Beekeeping Association of Southwest Florida
- Broward County Beekeepers
- Coastal Beekeepers Association
- Dixie County Beekeepers Association
- Escarosa Beekeepers Association
- Florida Gateway Bee Club
- Gainesville Area Beekeepers
- Jacksonville Beekeeper Association
- Lake County Beekeepers
- Lee County Beekeepers Association
- Levy County Beekeepers Club
- North Central Florida Beekeepers
- North Escambia Bee Association
- Northeast Florida Beekeepers Association
- Northwest FL Gulf Coast Beekeepers Association
- Orange Blossom Beekeepers Association
- Palm Beach County Beekeepers Association
- Pinellas Beekeepers Association
- Ridge Beekeepers Association
- Saint Johns County Beekeepers Association
- Suncoast Beekeepers Association
- Tampa Bay Beekeepers Association
- Treasure Coast Beekeepers Association
- Tri-County Beekeepers Association
- Tupelo Beekeepers Association
- Union County Beekeepers
Beekeeping in Florida
Each beekeeper having honey bee colonies in Florida is required by law to register with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
FDACS registers and inspects honey bee colonies to certify them as:
- Free or substantially free from honey bee pests of regulatory significance and
- Free from unwanted types of honey bees.
