How far should beehives 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.

Is it safe to have a beehive in your 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.

Where should beehives be placed?

How much space do you need around a beehive?

Here's a rule of thumb when considering whether you can keep a beehive in your garden: A typical beehive is about 22 inches by 16 inches. You need at least five feet of space in every direction around the hive. If you plan to have multiple beehives, they should be at least three feet apart.

How big of a yard do you need to keep bees?

Backyard beekeeping requires very little space.

Honey bees travel great distances for food, and the recommended 6 to 7 feet (around 2 meters) of space at the longest side is really for the beekeeper.

How Far Away From a House Should You Keep Your Hives

Do I 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.

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 close can beehives be?

You can space a pair of hives as close to six inches from each other, but you need several feet of space around one or two sides in order to move equipment around as you're working the hives. Know what predators (man or beast) are in your area and what protection your bees will need.

Will an empty beehive attract bees?

Yes, an empty beehive will attract bees. Even if it isn't positioned up in a tree or converted to a bait hive, the scout bees can smell residual beeswax in the wood. If you have an empty hive and want to make it more attractive to bees, you can add a swarm lure.

Can you put a beehive next to a house?

While honeybees are vital for the environment, a beehive near the house should not be tolerated. You will put your family members at risk by letting the bees invade your house. A simple call to a bee removal expert will remove the threat from the house.

Can my Neighbours keep bees?

“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.

What happens if you dont remove a bee hive?

Because bees are attracted to the pheromones and the hive material, new swarms will often re infest the area over and over again. 2. Hives that are not removed will often decay and cause foul odors to emanate from the wall and/or roof. 3.

Should I let my bees swarm?

As natural beekeepers, we aim to learn from the bees with the aim of caring for them in ways to keep colonies strong and healthy, guided by the bees' innate life expressions and natural preferences. Swarming must be considered as essential to this.

How do I encourage bees to my hive?

The best ways to encourage bees and other pollinators into your garden is by providing nectar- and pollen-rich flowers throughout the year. Creating suitable nest sites in your garden is another excellent way to provide for them.

When should you start a beehive?

When starting a beehive, the spring is ideal time. As soon as the weather begins to warm up and flowers start to bloom, you can set up your hive. Plan well and get your bees into the hive as soon as possible to allow them the time to gather as much nectar as possible through the next few months.

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 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.

What direction should a beehive face?

Face the hive entrance away from the prevailing winds. Ideally, face the entrance in a southerly direction if you're in the northern hemisphere and northerly direction for the southern hemisphere.

What do you put under a beehive?

The ground under and hives should be kept weed free. Some people place the hives on mulch, wood chips and even carpet remnants. I added a layer of wood chips to the ground where the hives would be located. I placed two cinder blocks per hive on the ground, one in the front and one in the back.

How often do you harvest honey from a beehive?

In a healthy, productive hive, it is normal to be able to harvest honey two to three times each season. Most beekeepers will harvest honey between June and September, but how often you harvest and how much honey you get will depend on a number of factors.

How do you attract bees to a bee house?

During the early spring months, you can try attracting mason bees by providing nesting tunnels, plenty of bee food, and a mud source. Mason bee houses can be bought or made from wood, thick paper straws, or hollow reeds.

Is it illegal to keep bees in garden?

Not illegal to keep bees in your garden but you can be asked to remove them if for example you were asked by a neighbour to move bees away from their fence because they had been stung and you failed to do so.

Is it expensive to keep bees?

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.

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.

How do you tell if a hive is going to swarm?