If beekeeping is one of those things you have always wanted to do, but never had time to pursue, our current period of self-isolation may provide you with the time you need to learn about this exciting hobby.

Keeping honey bees requires planning, knowledge and an investment of time and money to be successful. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) will pollinate the fruits and vegetables in your garden and increase production of your fruit trees. Since they fly as far as five miles, you will also be helping your neighbors by keeping bees.

The amount of time you spend taking care of bees depends on the season of the year and the number of hives you maintain. Beekeepers experience a flurry of activity in spring, maintenance jobs to perform in summer, and harvesting honey and preparing for winter in the fall. When you are new to keeping bees, there is of course a learning curve in the initial seasons.

Understanding the Background     

Due diligence is always a good idea before embarking on a new endeavor. Contact your local Code Enforcement office to find out if there are any laws or ordinances in your city or unincorporated area that prohibit or govern keeping bees. It's important to follow the rules concerning hive boxes and where they can be located on one's property.

If you are going to raise bees to harvest and sell honey or other consumable products you need to review the Butte County Cottage Food Operators rules to learn about the policies and permits required.

Learning about bee biology and understanding the bee life cycle, nutrition, water requirements, behaviors, and pests and diseases will help you better manage your hives.

Learning from a mentor or taking classes is a good idea. The E.L. Niño Bee Lab at UC Davis offers classes on ‘Planning Ahead for Your First Hive' and ‘Working Your Colonies', among other topics.

Getting Started        

Consider the necessary time and financial investment before you begin. You will need to purchase hive boxes, stands, bees, tools, and appropriate clothing. There are many beekeeping supply stores. Hive boxes or kits can be purchased online, but you can also find plans to build your own hive boxes. If the hive produces enough honey to harvest, you may need more equipment to extract the honey and store it. If you want to harvest wax, you will need the right tools and equipment to clean and melt it.

The hive is a busy place in spring as the colony grows. Check to make sure there are plenty of flowers available for bee pasture. If not, you may have to feed them sugar syrup. They also need a water source. Bees can't swim, so make sure there is a water supply available with safe access where bees can land. Check the hive regularly for signs bees might swarm and take preventive precautions.

You will want to monitor the hive regularly through the summer months to make sure the queen is laying eggs, and you will need to inspect the hive and be able to spot diseases, pests (including Varroa mites) or other problems that could impact the bees' health. In the fall you may be able to harvest honey and then prepare the hive for winter.

Siting the Beehive

Find a site for your hive or hives that is the required distance from your property line and any structures or other sensitive areas (depending on city or county ordinances). Consider everyone's safety. Bees do sting and they often swarm. Keep people and pets safe. It is always a good idea to talk to your neighbors, so they are aware of your bees. You can educate them about honey bees, and encourage them to use caution with pesticides, as these are damaging to bee health and performance.

Choose a location that has a wind break and is not overly shaded. Dappled sunlight is best. The hive entrance should face southeast to take advantage of the early morning sunlight.

Place the hive in an area that is level and stable. You want to set the hive off the ground on a stand to avoid moisture accumulating in the hive. If you are in an area that has a lot of wildlife, consider installing a wire fence or kennel with a roof to protect the bees from predators like raccoons and skunks. In areas where there are bears you might want to invest in an electric fence.

The standard and most commonly-used hives are Langstroth 10 Frame Hove Boxes. These come in a variety of depths. Keep in mind that you will have to move the boxes around. A deep hive box that's full of comb, bees, and honey can be heavy, weighing over 90 pounds. Medium depth boxes are lighter. These standard hives have interchangeable parts and accessories that are widely available. Also available are top bar hives, usually called Kenyon Top Bar Hives. These hive boxes mimic the cavity of a tree and have individual bars that can be removed for inspection. You will need to research the hive system that is right for you.

There are a few ways to obtain bees. You can purchase a ‘package' of bees containing a queen. These are usually ordered in January or February for April pick up or delivery by mail. If you want a head start, there are ‘nucs' available that include a queen, some workers, brood, and food on three to five frames for installation into your hive. The most cost-effective method of obtaining bees is to catch a swarm. You might also be able to purchase a functioning colony, including the hive boxes, from another beekeeper. Butte and several surrounding counties are home to many beekeepers and bee breeders that sell bees and queens. For more information on bee swarms; see the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources webpage on Removing Honey Bee Swarms and Established Hives. 

In the state of California, you must register your bees with the County Agricultural Commissioner if you have ten or more hives, in accord with Food and Agricultural code 29044. If you have nine hives or less, you are encouraged, but not required, to register your bees to help map the hives. This is critical to the health of both the bees and the state's agricultural sector. The registration fee is just $10.00 a year (go to www.buttecounty.net/agriculturalcommissioner/ or call them at 530-552-4100). You can register online and also enter the location of your bee yard or apiary on the BeeWhere webpage. This pins your bee's location to a map so that if there is a problem with disease or new pests affecting bees, the Agricultural Commissioner can contact you to let you know.

Another consideration is checking to see that you have adequate insurance coverage to protect you and your property (i.e. does your home insurance liability coverage include personal beekeeping on your property?).

These steps may sound overwhelming. But once you take them and become a beekeeper, you will be fascinated by these beautiful insects. They are simply amazing to watch and learn from!