Bees have been having a hard time the last few years. The jury?s still out on the cause of ?colony collapse? and the alarming number of bees dying off, but what we do know is that we can all do our part in saving the vital pollinating insect. We were amazed to learn that hardworking bees are to thank for 80 percent of all the pollination in the world.
So, how can we help, you ask" Well, there are a few ways,  whether it?s setting up backyard hives, planting bee-friendly flowers like borage or banishing insecticides from your property.
That one reason why the Cedar Beehive Kit at Beethinking.com caught our eye.
The sturdy, natural boxes are milled in Portland, Oregon, using kiln-dried Western Red Cedar. Beethinking explains that cedar boxes are more durable than traditional common-white-pine hives, and they also weigh less. If you do have a classic Langstroth hive, no worries?the cedar drawers can be used with that design, too, for a handy mix-and-match. If you?ve always thought about beekeeping and just never knew how to start, Beethinking?s got you covered. The company has pulled together the essential items any novice beekeeper will need.

Please don?t be offended that the Beginner?s Kit ($359) includes the informative Complete Idiot’s Guide to Beekeeping book?we?ve all got to start somewhere!
You?ll also receive one of those cool hats with the ghostly veil to keep your face bee-free. Just imagine yourself as an old-timey beekeeper, following in the footsteps...