How Can I Get Land for Beekeeping?
For some beekeeping is a hobby, for others beekeeping is an educational experience. For others, beekeeping is a business. The amount of land, hives and bees you will need is determined by your purpose of keeping bees. For the hive itself, a 20-foot by 20-foot area will suffice to set up the hive for your colony. However, for the hive to thrive, there will need to be ample resources for the bees to gather pollen.
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Instructions
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Be hives on a hill can be located where bees can collect pollen. Look up the beekeeping or bee husbandry laws, statutes and regulations for areas where you want to establish beekeeping. A link for beekeeping statutes for the United States is included in the references. Some cities forbid beekeeping on residential properties.
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Find a property that complies with the laws and regulations for beekeeping from the national regulations down to the local regulations.
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Get referrals from experienced beekeepers. Attend a local beekeeping or bee husbandry meeting to meet other beekeepers who might be able to suggest a real estate agent who is experienced with agricultural real estate needs and sales. The right real estate agent could scout the right properties.
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A row of beehives on a property. Search listings online for properties that are agricultural, located near farms that do not rely on pesticides, and that are located away from residential areas, schools and areas used for recreation. Placing an active hive near a school or recreational area will put both the bees and those allergic to bee stings in harm's way.
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A mobile beehive is perfect for a bee host. Evaluate the pros and cons of "bee hosting" options with local farmers or residents with large expanses of land. Farmers, especially farmers who produce organic or all natural produce, might be interested in providing land for bee hosting in exchange for the pollination that the bees can provide, which can increase crop yield.
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Tips & Warnings
Carry liability insurance to cover any accidents, injuries, or allergic reactions to stings that can occur if a person agitates a hive, intentionally or accidentally, or runs into a swarm.
Educate neighbors on bee behavior, how to handle stings and how to handle swarms.
Write a contract for bee hosts to protect both parties and the bees. Include agreements regarding not moving hives or not using pesticides in the contract.
Don't operate hives if you do not carry liability insurance to cover the unexpected accidents or damages.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit bee in a flower image by João Freitas from Fotolia.com Hives in the mountains image by Trombax from Fotolia.com miel et abeilles image by Philippe LERIDON from Fotolia.com rucher image by Claudio Calcagno from Fotolia.com beehive image by Marius Lazin from Fotolia.com
