Do I need a Licence to keep bees in the UK?

Generally you aren't required to have a license to keep bees in the UK. However, some local councils have banned beekeeping or may require localized licenses. So it's still a smart idea to check with your local authorities or beekeeper's association within your jurisdiction.

Are you allowed to keep bees in a residential area UK?

“Beekeepers have the right to keep bees. Their neighbours have the right to enjoy their property in peace. Badly kept and positioned colonies can be a nuisance”. It is a beekeeper's responsibility to avoid their bees becoming a nuisance and to take appropriate steps if they so become.

Can I keep bees in my garden UK?

You are allowed to have a beehive in your garden as long as you meet the current legal requirements related to the minimum or buffer distance between the hive, neighboring houses, public walkways and public buildings. This is always defined and voted at the local government level, or by the municipality itself.

Do you need a Licence for bees?

You don't need a licence to keep bees but Camilla says it is good to belong to a local association to keep you in touch with local expertise, local problems and conditions. These groups will often run training programmes, regular meetings and send out regular newsletters.

Are there any restrictions on keeping bees?

Most associations have hives used for teaching purposes and give you the chance to handle bees. There are no restrictions on keeping bees.

Should I Keep Bees - What Do I Need To Start Beekeeping - Starting to Keep Bees

How far should a beehive be from a house?

Even though each case is different, we can use some general estimates of a safe distance to be from the hive. For a honey bee colony with a calm temperature, give yourself at least 4 feet of clearance behind the hive and on each side if possible. At the hive entrance, an area of 25 feet is the best minimum.

Do you need planning permission to keep bees?

Planning permission applies to permanent structures, as bee hives are movable they are not permanent. A shed however is a different matter as is a fence. There may be a right of way through the land check this.

What is needed to keep bees UK?

In addition to your bees, you'll need a beekeeping suit, plus gloves, smoker and a hive tool. When it comes to clothing, go for a maximum protection to avoid stings. An all-in-one suit with veil, together with a good pair of gloves and stout wellies will cost less than £150.

Can I keep bees on my allotment?

Bees make a wonderful addition to any allotment site as they play a critical role in the pollination of so many plants, especially fruit crops. Higher yields and better quality produce will result from having hives near your site.

Can you keep a beehive in your backyard?

Additionally, since a typical Langstroth hive only requires a few square feet, almost every backyard has more than enough space for a hive, so just about anyone with a yard could potentially keep bees.

How much does a hive of bees cost UK?

National Hive: A self-assembly hive will cost about £150. Nucleus of Bees: Varies according to supply and demand, but is normally over £150. The best price will probably be from your local association. Bee Suit: A decent bee suit will cost in the range of £100-£150.

How many acres do you need to keep bees?

Generally speaking, most backyard beekeepers have 1 to 2 acres of land with 2 or 3 bee hives. I have personally had 10 hives on a 1 acre lot in a subdivision. One important thing to do is talk with your neighbors first.

How big a garden do I need to keep bees?

How much land do you need to keep bees? You do not need a lot of land if you are considering how to keep bees. 'About 54 square foot is enough for a couple of hives,' explains Pete. If there is livestock adjacent to the bees then the hives must be fenced off.

Where can you keep bees UK?

Bees can be kept anywhere from country orchards to urban gardens to small city balconies. It is a common misconception that you need a large garden or countryside nearby. Although this can make siting your bees easier, urban gardens are arguably better. Nectar and pollen can be gathered from a wide variety of plants.

Can I buy bees for my garden?

You can buy bees commercially, and possibly, locally. Bees come as packaged bees, nucs (or nucleus colony) or an established colony. You can also get bees by catching a swarm.

Can I sell honey from home UK?

If you are a hobby beekeeper who sells honey on the doorstep the rules are relatively straightforward, but you still need to follow appropriate standards of cleanliness and hygiene when extracting honey for sale and you still need to apply the rules for labelling honey.

Do you need insurance to keep bees UK?

If you keep bees on your allotment, you must have public liability insurance, ideally though membership or affiliation with the British Bee Keepers Association. A copy of your insurance certificate must be sent to the Council.

How do you start keeping bees?

How do I start a beehive?

What qualifications do I need to be a beekeeper?

How profitable is beekeeping UK?

Beekeeping is very weather-dependant. A beekeeper would expect to harvest an average of 14kg to 18kg of surplus honey per hive. This could rise to 23kg in a good year, and fall to nothing in a bad year. Honey sells easily at £3.50 per 454g jars, meaning an average gross income of around £125 per hive.

What is the best beehive for beginners UK?

The National Bee Hive Starter Kit is the most versatile and commonly used bee hive in the U.K. recommended for beginners.

Should beehives be in sun or shade?

The hive should be placed in early morning sun. This gets the bees out of their hive earlier in the day to forage. In the Northeast, hives can remain in the full sun for the entire season. However in places with warmer climates, hives should receive some afternoon shade.

How much does a native bee hive cost?

The total cost of a hive of native stingless bees (including delivery) is $770 including gst.

How high should beehives be off the ground?

How high should my hive stand be? A. While this is heavily dependant on your stature, an ideal height for a hive stand is approximately 18in off of the ground. Unless you are 6'5", this height will be ideal for working your hives without destroying your back.