Choose the Best Location for Your Beehive
We’ll guide you through the process.
Is my property bee-ready? This is a question we get a lot. We’re here to guide you through the process and make choosing your beehive location an easy decision.
Do I have enough space for beehives?
The answer is almost always, yes!
When choosing your location, we recommend a a 15 to 20-foot distance from the entrance of the beehive and areas that will be frequently occupied. The entrance of the beehive is where the bees will fly in and out, creating a “flight path.” We recommend steering clear of the flight path as the best way to reduce the risk of stings.
Access & Safety
Whether you’re placing your bees on a rooftop or garden level, there are a few key points to consider. Choose a fairly undisturbed location that provides ample space for our beekeepers to service your hives. It’s helpful to consider the landscape and begin planning around future construction.
Beekeeping is a rigorous job that sometimes requires beekeepers to move up to 200 lbs of equipment. Wherever your hive is located, it should be easy to access from the parking area. Below you’ll find more information about accessibility and safety considerations for where to best place your beehives.
| The future of urban farming is on rooftops. If you’re thinking of choosing the roof for your hive’s destination, consider the following access and safety requirements. |
Our beekeepers need to be able to access the beehive without a ladder and no more than 2 floors via stairway. Choose a location that provides enough space for our beekeepers to comfortably inspect the hives.
Hives must be placed at least 20 feet from the ledges of buildings without guardrails. Winds can be quite heavy on a roof. We recommend placing your hive so that it is blocked from the wind.
| Garden level beehives are a staple in urban beekeeping practices. With ease of access, you’ll be able to enjoy the time observing bees at work or at home. Consider the following access and safety tips when choosing your garden level location. |
We recommend placing your hives at a safe distance from heavy foot traffic and entrance areas. You’ll want to ensure that your hive is as level as possible on firm, dry land.
For corporate clients, we offer signage and internal communications support to ensure the public is educated and excited about your beehives. People are less fearful of bees when they’re able to learn more about these super-friendly pollinators’ docile nature.
Honeybees are vegan pollinators that are non-aggressive by nature. As long as they have an open flight path, you’ll be able to safely enjoy the benefits of their labor safely. In addition, we exclusively use Apis mellifera ligustica, the most docile species of honeybees.
“We had no idea that we would become so fond of our bees. They feel like family!” - Residential Client
What’s best for the bees?
Sun
Bees do best in full sun. Bees harness the power of the sun to warm their bodies and prepare for flight. However, bees adapt to their environments, so partial sun and seasonal sun also work!
Direction
In the Northern Hemisphere, beehives facing South or West usually have sunlight shining at the entrance of the beehive for the longest period of time. This makes for longer days foraging and collecting resources for the colony.
Wind
Strong winds can knock over a beehive. If you’re placing your beehive in a particularly windy spot, consider wind-blockage to protect your hive.
Forage
A diverse habitat makes for a healthy beehive. If you don’t have a garden or an abundance of plants on your property, don’t worry. Honeybees can travel up to 5 miles to get the resources they need!
Water
Like most animals, honey bees need water. Fresh, clean water helps bees obtain essential nutrients. If there isn’t a natural water-source nearby, consider placing a bird bath near your hives.
Ready to get started? Choosing your location is the first step on your journey to making the world a more sustainable place.
