The total weight of two supers, lid, bottom, honey, pollen and bees should be at least 125 pounds. Towards the end of October the bee colony can be moved indoors for winter or wrapped to protect the bees from the elements. If the bees are outside there is little that can be done to assist them. They will survive even if they are completely covered by snow for a while. It is normal for bees to leave the hive during the winter and die.
Every hobby requires an outlay of funds.
The minimum personal equipment that is needed includes a veil, hive tool and bee smoker. The bee veil keeps bees away from your head. It is disconcerting to have bees crawling on your face or in your hair. As well, stings on the head are especially painful. A baseball cap will not do.