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The Beekeeper's Shop

The Complete Starter Hive Kit

A traditional Langstroth hive, beeswax-coated and built to last. Ready for your first colony.

10-Frame Langstroth Starter Hive with beeswax coating, deep brood box and medium super
Starter hive hero Complete beehive kit diagram showing all components Beeswax coating, plastic foundation sheets, dovetail joint construction

Beeswax-coated · 10-frame Langstroth · Deep brood + medium super

10-Frame Langstroth
Starter Hive Kit

The classic setup — proven, reliable, and built the right way.

$197
+ estimated $40 shipping (calculated at checkout)
Quantity

What's Included

  • 10-frame deep brood box (beeswax coated)
  • 10-frame medium super box (beeswax coated)
  • Solid bottom board with entrance reducer
  • Queen excluder, inner cover & waterproof metal top cover
  • 20 beeswax-coated frames with foundations included
  • Langstroth-standard — compatible with all Langstroth equipment
"Perfect starter kit. Everything was included and the beeswax coating saved me a lot of prep work."
— David R., first-year beekeeper, Georgia
"Arrived in 4 days, assembled in under an hour. I've never kept bees before and this made the whole thing feel achievable."
— Linda M., first-year beekeeper, Ohio
"The beeswax coating is beautiful — the wood looks and smells incredible. My bees drew out comb fast, which I'm told means they accepted the hive immediately."
— James T., hobby beekeeper, Texas
✅ In stock — ships this week

Common Questions

Do I need bees? ▾
The hive ships empty — you'll need to purchase a package of bees or a nucleus colony (nuc) separately. Most local beekeeping suppliers sell packages in early spring. Our course covers exactly how to install them.
Does this work in my climate? ▾
Yes — this Langstroth setup works in every climate from Alaska to Florida. The single deep brood box plus medium super is perfect for most beginners, and you can always add more supers as your colony grows. The beeswax coating provides natural moisture and weather protection.
How hard is assembly? ▾
It ships flat-packed and assembles in under an hour with basic tools (a rubber mallet and wood glue are all you need). No special skills required. If you can put together flat-pack furniture, you can assemble this hive.
Can I order multiple hives? ▾
Yes — use the quantity selector on this page. Many beekeepers start with two colonies so they can compare hive health and share resources between them. Each hive ships separately.
How much honey will I get in my first year? ▾
First-year harvests vary widely — 20 to 60 lbs is typical for a spring installation in a good nectar year. Your colony will spend the first few months building population and drawing comb, so don't expect a full harvest in year one. Many beekeepers leave all the honey for the bees in year 1 to give them the best chance of a strong winter.
What tools do I need besides the hive? ▾
At minimum: a hive tool (for prying frames), a bee brush, a smoker, and a veil or full suit. You'll also need a feeder for the first few weeks after installing bees. We recommend starting simple — you don't need everything on day one, just the basics to do your first inspection safely.
Can I upgrade to auto-harvest later? ▾
Yes. The auto-harvest super uses standard Langstroth dimensions and can be added to any 10-frame Langstroth setup, including this one. Many beekeepers start with this kit, get comfortable, and add a flow super in year 2. It's a natural upgrade path.
Is the beeswax coating safe for bees? ▾
100% yes — beeswax is completely natural and bees produce it themselves. Beeswax-coated hives are actually preferred by many experienced beekeepers because bees accept and draw comb faster. The coating also acts as a natural preservative and moisture barrier, extending the life of the wood significantly.

What Makes This Setup Right

🏠

Beeswax Coated

All wood surfaces pre-coated in 100% beeswax — naturally antimicrobial, moisture-resistant, and irresistible to bees.

🍯

Deep + Medium Setup

1 deep brood box for your colony to raise brood, 1 medium super for honey storage. The classic two-box configuration.

👁️

20 Frames Included

All 20 frames come pre-fitted with beeswax-coated plastic foundations — ready to install, no assembly required.

🌲

Langstroth Standard

100% compatible with all standard Langstroth equipment. Add supers, feeders, or mite boards from any supplier.

Why We Chose This Hive

The Langstroth is the most widely used hive design in the world for a reason — it works. Every supplier, every mentor, every how-to guide is built around it. When you start with the standard, you're never stuck. You can find parts at any local farm store, get advice from any beekeeper, and add accessories from any brand.

Why beeswax coating matters: Beeswax is a natural waterproofing agent — the same material bees use to seal their own hive. Pre-coating the wood protects it from rain, humidity, and rot without any synthetic chemicals. It also signals to your bees that this is a safe, familiar environment, which means they draw out comb faster and get established quicker. It's one of those details that costs the manufacturer more but makes a real difference in practice.

Why 10-frame over 8-frame: Eight-frame hives are lighter and easier to lift, which sounds appealing — until your colony outgrows one and you're adding boxes every few weeks. The 10-frame setup gives your bees room to grow without cramping them. More space means more honey, less swarming, and a happier colony. For most climates and most beginners, 10-frame is the right call.

What your first season looks like: Install bees in spring. Feed them for the first 2–3 weeks while they draw out comb. Do your first inspection at 1 week to confirm the queen is laying. Check every 7–10 days through spring. Add the honey super once the brood box is 80% full. By late summer, if conditions are good, you may have honey to harvest. It's simpler than it sounds — especially with guidance.

About BeeKings

BeeKings was started in 2013 by brothers Chris and Allan Miller in Washington state. We worked actual hives, made every beginner mistake in the book, and eventually figured out what works. We're now based in Canton, Texas, and this shop exists because people kept asking us where to buy the equipment we recommend. The Fantastic Bees course exists for the same reason — beekeeping has a steep learning curve, and books alone aren't enough.

— Chris Miller, BeeKings · Canton, TX

See It In Action

Real Beehives. Real Texas Honey.

Watch how it all comes together at First Monday Canton.

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