Bees are nature’s wonder workers. As tiny as these critters are, they have a very important job: pollinating plants and keeping our ecosystem up and running.
You can only be grateful if you have bees buzzing about your garden because that can only mean your plants and flowers are healthy.
“Can I keep bees in my backyard, though?”
That’s a question I get a lot. So, in this post, I’d share everything you need to know about backyard beekeeping, whether it’s possible, what you need, and its potential benefits.
Yes, But…
Yes, you can usually keep bees in your backyard. But you want to check with your city’s local ordinances to ensure you’re not breaking any laws.
While legal in most states, some cities and municipalities may require permits or certifications for backyard apiaries.
Some also regulate and limit the number and type of hives you can keep. Others may even demand explicit blessings from your neighbors.
Let me give you an example.
If you live in Florida, the Beekeeper Compliance Agreement requires you to register your colonies with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
From there, they’d schedule an inspection of your backyard apiary to ensure they’re free of pests or unwanted types of bees.
You then pay a certain amount for the registration, depending on the number of honey bee hives you own.
California is much more lenient in its beekeeping regulations. The Golden State also provides the most support for its local beekeepers.
While you still need to register your apiary, you won’t have to pay annually for registration or renewals if you’re a hobbyist, owning only 10 or fewer hives.
What Do Bees Need In Your Backyard?
Now that you know about the legalities of apiaries, let’s talk about what you need to keep honey bees in your backyard.
Mind, it’s not as simple as letting the bees live in your garden and expecting them to survive on their own. There’s plenty of preparation involved here.
A honeybee hive needs four things to survive: adequate sunlight and shade, a constant supply of fresh water, wind protection, and lastly, privacy, away from the bustling crowd or traffic.
Having bees in your backyard calls for ample space for flying. Luckily, most species only need six to eight feet of clearance around their hive.
If your garden is on the smaller side, you can install a fence around their home to encourage them to fly upwards and out of your hair.
For water, you can easily place a saucer near the hive and replenish the supply every other day. I’ve also seen others use shallow bubble fountains, which is an excellent idea.
When positioning your colony, orient its entrance to face the south. This way, sunlight will shine on the hive’s opening the longest, prolonging their time foraging and collecting resources.
Lastly, think of the bees’ food supply, as well as pest and disease control. Consider investing in beekeeping tools, such as a bee suit, smoker, hive tool, and more.
What Types of Bees Can You Keep In Your Backyard?
Most garden beekeepers use the European honeybee. But you’d best steer clear of this species as they’re invasive and steal resources from the natives.
Still, even if you’re a first-time beekeeper, there are plenty of beginner-friendly bees you can try and get your backyard apiary off the ground.
Some of my favorite starter colonies are the Carniolan and Himalayan honey bees.
The mild-natured Carniolan honey bees are a great option for anyone worried about stings. A subspecies of the western honey bees, they aren’t aggressive and are typically very easy to handle.
One downside to Carniolans is that they tend to overpopulate in spring, which increases the likelihood of swarming.
Himalayan honey bees come from Asia, particularly Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
These buzzers are great for beginners as they’re incredibly resilient to the weather and many malignant diseases. They can survive the harshest of climates with ease.
Final Thoughts
Keeping honey bees isn’t an easy task. Many backyard colonies die because their owners fail to realize how much investment and effort they require.
Still, there’s a good long list of benefits to keeping these critters, too.
Your garden will undoubtedly thank you. Most importantly, you get to help increase the declining numbers of these crucial pollinators and make a positive impact on the environment.
Ben has a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering. When not constructing or remodeling X-Ray Rooms, Cardiovascular Labs, and Pharmacies, you can find him at home with wife and two daughters. Outside of family, He loves grilling and barbequing on his Big Green Egg and Blackstone Griddle, as well as working on projects around the house.
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