Bee keeping - where to start?

Most people start with a "starter kit". It may be cheaper to buy the items from the kit separately. Some sellers offer better prices when you buy directly from them rather than from Amazon.

You need

- 2 hives (wooden or styrofoam (better protection during winter)
- 2 sets of 10 frames (this is where bees collect honey)
- smoker
- protective gear
- 2 bee packages (3-lb box with bees and a queen). It is better if you can buy this locally - there is one company in southern Illinois (2-hr drive from Chicago) (http://www.honeybeesonline.com).

Example starter kits:

Mann Lake HK110 10-Frame Traditional Basic Starter Kit, Painted Wood-Frames, 9-5/8-Inch, $227.50 and ships free from Amazon



Same price after shipment: Standard Bee Hive Starter Kit (Unassembled - Wood) by BuildaBeehive.com



BuildaBeehive.com also have "CoolMax" Bee Hive made from Polystyrene) that was discounted from $325 to $189 in 08/2013:
http://buildabeehive.com/Beekeeping-Starter-Kits-c1.html

Hives are discounted in the fall, but the bees ship only in the spring (May).

It is cheaper to buy the equipment separately:

Mann Lake HK160 10-Frame Traditional Complete Hive Kit, Wood-Frames, 9-5/8-Inch by Mann Lake, Price: $99.85. Eligible for free shipping with Amazon Prime.



References:

Bees for Sale - Buying Honey Bees Online - How and Where to Buy Package Bees http://bit.ly/14O8adC
http://smallfarm.about.com/od/beekeeping/tp/Beekeeping-For-Beginners.htm