You ordered bees, they are on the way in a month or two, now what? There are a thousand questions, but only a few need to be asked right now.
Where are you putting them?
What will they live in?
How will you keep from getting stung (more accurately, try not to get stung, it will happen)? Are you allergic to bee stings? Consider a different hobby
Lets start with the first one. Bees are not necessarily always the most friendly of neighbors. They do get irritable from time to time and like to keep to themselves. The hive is best located some distance from normal traffic areas. They won’t really do well, socially, with constant disturbances to the hive entrance and the area in front of it. The irritability thing may come into play. They do have a tolerance level but there is plenty of time to find what that level may be. Best not to push it. Choose a spot 50 yards or so away from your house and as far away from your neighbors as possible. There are a few reasons for the next point, none of them are really important now. The hive should be placed in an area with full sun for most of the day. A bit of afternoon shade is good for those hot summer days. They do enjoy a view of the sunrise. They will get up early and get to work right away. Don’t focus too much on the sun, if there are no real good options. Just keep in mind that it is not really easy to up and move the hive once placed. Choose the location wisely.
The next question needs a bit of thought and research. If you are getting a package, you are free to choose any hive configuration you want to try. If you are getting a Nuc, you will be limited to Langstroth equipment or something that can hold Langstroth frames. A Langstroth deep brood box with either an 8 or 10 frame configuration is standard and easy to find. Then there is the honey supper. If you like to lift heavy things, go with a deep super and make sure they are 10 frames for all your boxes. If you would rather lift only slightly less heavy things, get 8 frame mediums. I like all deeps so I can move frames to any location in the hive. If you can only lift a little weight, check into horizontal hives. Everyone has a preference and a reason for choosing a particular configuration. Find your reason. Don’t forget a base, a lid and an stand that fits whatever configuration you choose.
Lastly, bees sting, period. Sometimes, they sting a lot. Your tolerance level to stings will dictate what you will need for protective clothing. You will get stung, you will find your tolerance level. I don’t really wear a lot of protection, unless the irritability thing is going on. I pay for that from time to time. Have it and not need it, not the other way around. A good vented jacket with veil, some loose fitting, thick jeans, boots and gloves work for most situations until you find that tolerance level.
These are the expensive questions. These are the questions that may take time to answer. Get the answers wrong and you get to buy more stuff or learn how quickly bees get irritable or what a lot of bee stings feel like or have angry neighbors.
The clock is ticking and spring is coming. Get started now.