Rooftop Bee Hives

Urban dwellers use rooftop beehives for neighbor-friendly beekeeping.

The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that more than 211,000 people keep honeybees in the United States. A small percentage of those beekeepers maintain hives for commercial use. For example, in New Jersey only 2 percent of beekeepers qualify as commercial. Most people keep bees for small-scale production or as a hobby. Rooftop beehives allow beekeepers in urban areas to maintain honeybee colonies.

Laws

While many municipalities allow beekeeping, some locales prohibit hives within city limits. Locations that allow beekeeping on rooftops often require registration and adherence to ordinances. In Milwaukee, a beekeeper can have only two hives and must notify neighbors within 200 feet of the hives. Rooftop hives generally are neighbor friendly because the bees’ flight path doesn't interfere with daily life. Beekeepers who live in an apartment, condominium or lease need the property owner’s permission before installing a rooftop hive. Any urban beekeeper needs to check their local laws before setting up a rooftop hive.

Design and Location

Movable frame hives allow easy access for inspection.

A rooftop hive has specific care requirements for healthy, productive bees. A beehive must have a pollen and nectar source nearby supporting the colony. Honeybees also need a water source. This is a requirement for health and law in many locations. New Jersey laws states the water source need to be within 25 feet of the hive. Bees use water to regulate the hives temperature, keeping it cool during hot weather. Honeybees also dilute the honey they produce with water for feeding young bees. Hives need regular inspection checking for disease and pests. If anything like mites is discovered, the hive requires treatment.

Requirements

A rooftop hive has specific care requirements for healthy, productive bees. A beehive must have a pollen and nectar source nearby supporting the colony. Honeybees also need a water source. This is a requirement for health and law in many locations. New Jersey laws states the water source need to be within 25 feet of the hive. Bees use water to regulate the hives temperature, keeping it cool during hot weather. Honeybees also dilute the honey they produce with water for feeding young bees. Hives need regular inspection checking for disease and pests. If anything like mites is discovered, the hive requires treatment.

Considerations

For rooftop hives, a calmer honeybee variety is the best choice. A common variety kept throughout the United States, Italian honeybees, make the best choice for rooftop hives because of their reputation for having a gentle nature. They also have a lower tendency to swarm, according to the Purdue University Extension. Honeybee hives need approximately 40 to 60 pounds of honey to survive the winter. Provide substitute food sources, including sugar syrup, if the hive has a low supply.

References

• UC Small Farm Program; Bees; H. Shimanuki, et al.; January 104
• New Jersey Department of Agriculture: Guidelines for Keeping Bees in Populated Areas
• City of Milwaukee; Bee Keeping in Milwaukee; August 2011
• Purdue Extension: 4-H Beekeeping
• Mid-Atlantic Apicultural Research and Extension Consortium; Keeping Bees in Populated Areas; February 2000

Resources

• University of Rhode Island GreenShare: Honey Bees