Do you need permission to keep bees?

The need to obtain a license to keep bees will depend on the regulations in your local area. We recommend you check with your local primary industries and agriculture authorities, or link up with your nearest beekeepers' association to find out what is required in your jurisdiction before you set up a new hive.

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 backyard?

You can keep bees in your backyard – subject to the laws in the area where you live – but you need to make sure they have a clear flight path in and out of the hive. 'Orienting the hive so that bees fly across a path, patio area or part of the garden which is used regularly is not a good idea,' explains Pete.

Do you need a permit to keep bees 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.

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.

Beekeeping How To Start Beekeeping In 2022

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.

Can anyone keep bees in their garden?

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 keep bees on an 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.

How much does a beehive cost UK?

The National hive on the right is less expensive coming in at £361.36 in flat pack form or for another £116.85 you can have one completely assembled (2019 prices). Again these include the inner parts.

How do I start keeping bees UK?

In the UK, most associations with the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) gives you third party and honey insurance. There are a number of sources where you can get your bees from. You can get them from a beekeeper; from a swarm; from your local association and by post.

What do I do if my neighbor has bees?

Just stay still. Once a bee realizes you're not a flower and have no sweet nectar or sugar water to offer, it will go peacefully on its way. If your neighbor invites you to observe their beehive, keep a safe distance. We generally recommend standing at least ten feet away and never directly in front of the entrance.

How much do bees cost?

The cost of bees will range from $100-$350 (but if you catch a swarm, it's free!) Without them, your hives would jsust be eccentric pieces of furniture. Bees can be purchased as a package, a nuclear hive (known as a nuc), or even as an established colony. If you are very lucky, you could catch a swarm.

What size garden do you need to keep bees?

You don't need a huge amount of space to site a hive. A standard national Hive is 46cmx46cm (a bit wider at the roof) so if you can make up a square from scraps of wood or garden canes, use that as a guide.

Can you have a small beehive?

Every responsible beekeeper needs to have a swarm control hive near their apiary. A mini hive is suitable for this and can also be used as a swarm lure. Melt some dark comb to the inside panel of the box and let it sit or hang in your yard. Your mini becomes your first line of defense.

Can you keep bees on a balcony?

You can keep bees almost anywhere, including your balcony. As long as the beehives are able to be kept reasonably distanced from each other, can face the proper direction, and are placed far enough away from you and your living space for safety, bees can be successfully kept on your balcony.

How much does a bee queen cost?

Costs vary to some degree: prices range from $15 to $25 for small numbers of queen bees. The larger the quantity ordered, the cheaper per queen the price becomes. It is important not to choose queens on price alone, and do not expect every queen bee to make you a fortune.

Is bee keeping expensive?

The initial cost of beekeeping can be intimidating to new beekeepers. You will need to invest in supplies such as a hive, proper protective clothing, a smoker, and hive tool. As of this writing, a single new hive may cost about $150, clothing and gear may cost about $160, and a package of new bees may run $125 to $150.

Is it cheaper to buy or build a bee hive?

It is CHEAPER to build everything yourself.

In total I spent around $176 for 2 hives.

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.

What are allotment rules?

The allotment rules are given to each tenant at the start of their tenancy, and also sent with the rent reminder whenever the rules are reprinted. The tenant is responsible for any person they invite onto the allotments and for making them aware of the rules and health and safety guidance.

What do you do if you have a beehive in your garden?

Can you keep bees without harvesting honey?

You can keep honeybees without harvesting honey but its not recommended due to several negative consequences. Your bees won't have enough room to store excess honey, will become overpopulated, and then swarm. Swarming of unmaintained colonies increases the spread of disease and pests to other healthy colonies.

How much honey do you get from one hive?

How much honey does a hive produce? With a traditional beehive setup, a strong hive could produce upto 100 lb (45 kg) of harvestable honey per hive. But taking into account unforeseen factors which can affect colonies, a better average would be anywhere between 30 to 60 lb (14 to 27 kg) per hive.