Can I keep bees on my property?
Putting aside any legal restrictions in your town or city, the simple answer is yes, you can safely and reasonably keep hives on just about any property. A bee colony typically requires about 10 - 15 feet of clear space in front of the hive for in-and-out flights, but little more than that. The bees fly up to three miles (sometimes even more!) to find forage. There are many creative ways to include a hive or two in your space. We are happy to help you choose the best location.
How much does it cost to get started?
Our simple answer is between $500 - $600. This estimate includes three main components: the bees, the hive equipment, and the beekeeping gear. There are, of course, variables but generally this is the start-up cost to get a hive up and running for the first season. That said, we ALWAYS encourage you to start with two hives if you can work it into the budget.
What is the time commitment?
The good news is that the bees are pretty good at taking care of themselves and there is minimal intervention necessary. We inspect our hives every two weeks, and each hive takes about 10 - 15 minutes. You’ll likely check on your bees a little more often in the beginning as they are working to build up the new hive (and you are working to become an experienced beekeeper). You’ll also spend a bit more time during honey harvesting and the change of seasons, but all in all, the bees are pretty self-sufficient.
How much honey will I get?
There’s not a good answer to this question, as honey crops are influenced by so many things, mostly outside of our control. The abundance of flowers, the number of sunny days, and the strength of the colony are all important factors. We typically harvest honey twice per year, after the spring and fall nectar flows. To estimate harvesting 50 pounds of honey from each hive is reasonable in an established colony.
Will I get stung? OR Do I really need a bee suit?
Yes. You will almost certainly get stung at some point in your beekeeping career. Stings usually happen when you are actively inspecting a hive or otherwise disturbing the colony. Honeybees are typically not aggressive and are not seeking out stinging victims in the course of a normal day. It is incredibly helpful to have a suit and gloves when working with your colony. At a minimum, we recommend the use of a veil to prevent stings to the face. Those hurt.