Can I keep bees? Should I?

[Sweetened]

Here's two (what I consider to be) very important questions.

The likely answer is I can, but should I? I live in a rural town of about 650 people, on one of the outter roads of the town. I'm on a standard (but slightly longer) lot and I'm interested in having my own hive. I would think I would put it between my two large trees as it gets adequate sun, shade, and should they swarm, would provide a place to rest and wouldn't get too wet.

Now, am I too close to my neighbours? I've heard of people keeping bees in the middle of big cities on their rooves, but I'm seriously concerned. The town has no by-laws concerning this, and the provinces' bylaws are basicly: "Register, and tell us where it is on the property so we can check on it." I back onto an ill-used alley, which then backs on to other homes and i have neighbours on both sides.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Sweets

[Dreyadin]

Just a suggestion.. but.. how about finding a mentor of sorts so you can get some hands on learning before diving in? I mean.. check around.. see if there is someone that may be somewhat in the area to show you the ropes. If you are lucky and able to locate someone willing.. you'll know more for yourself if this is something you want to do on your own.. as well it will give you more confidence to give it a shot.

Just an idea.. I am actually looking into doing the very same thing myself before making the investment, but first thing is researching as well as possible before I start.

If there are no local ordinances/ laws/ regulations or anything prohibiting your location or anything.. then yes.. technically you can have a hive. If it is a good location choice.. that you would need to consider.. and you may want to talk to your neighbors. If one of them are allergic to bees.. you'd want to reconsider. As well take into mind kids and pets... best to avoid or minimize any potential issues before creating them.

Just my thoughts.. I'm not into this endeavor yet.. hopefully someone with experience will better guide you.

[Sweetened]

Just a suggestion.. but.. how about finding a mentor of sorts so you can get some hands on learning before diving in?

....

If there are no local ordinances/ laws/ regulations or anything prohibiting your location or anything.. then yes.. technically you can have a hive. If it is a good location choice.. that you would need to consider.. and you may want to talk to your neighbors. If one of them are allergic to bees.. you'd want to reconsider. As well take into mind kids and pets... best to avoid or minimize any potential issues before creating them.

Hello Dreyadin;

This is part of my research! I'm taking in what everyone says here in hopes I can determine how to best go about this. My spouse's family owns quite a bit of land which I'm sure I could put a hive or two on if I do decide to have my own and that town isn't right for me; it's just 20 minutes away and wouldn't allow me to check the bees often enough... another consideration.

I have pets, and my neighbour has indoor/outdoor cats. I've spoken with her on the matter, and she is very interested in the possibility of me keeping bees. The neighbour on the other side, however, is not at all considerate of me, often blocking in my vehicle on my property with her guest's cars, her trash etc. being moved onto my lawn because she neglects to acknowledge my property line. I'm trying to extend courtesy by figuring out if I'm too close to her or not (not that she would extend the same) and was hoping the opinions here will help me form my own.

Thanks for your reply and all the best to you.

[David LaFerney]

Build a privacy fence first.

[Sweetened]

In the works for next spring! Gives my dog more freedom as well. I do plan on having this fenced off with my garden to try and prevent wanderers, be it animals or overly-curious four-year-olds.

Thanks for your tip!

[David LaFerney]

if you keep a reasonable number of hives behind a privacy fence no one will even know they are there unless you tell them. Not as in you will be pulling one over on them, but rather the bees won't cause a problem. They will fly up over the fence and very few will probably ever even visit your neighbors yard. That far north you will never have Africanized bees, and as long as you keep gentle stock (pretty easy to do) you shouldn't have a problem.

Good fences make good neighbors - an old saying, but true.

[KQ6AR]

Yes, & Yes,
My bees are about 20' from a chain link fence. My neighbors aren't bothered by them at all. Might depend on you're neighbor.
Consider getting 2 hives to start with. It helps to have 2, so you can compare them, & take eggs from one when another needs a queen.

[NeilV]

With either a privacy fence and/or keeping them 20 feet from the property line, should be no problem. Use common sense about when you work the hives also (not when there is a picnic going on next door.) I have kept bees at my house right next to my driveway where we walked by the hives daily with no problems. I currently have a hive at my inlaws in a dense neighborhood setting and they are fine.

Properly placed and without any overtly stupid behavior, neighbors simply don't even know the bees are there.

[stripstrike]

I put up a stockade fence in the corner of my yard about three months before I got the girls home. I even put empty hives on the stand before hand, just to acclimatize the neighbors to the idea. So far, one neighbor knows, but only because they walk by to the school bus stop every day. The good thing is the bees fly right up and over the fence and are way above the pedestrian traffic by the time they hit the street. In fact, most take a quick left and fly over my yard and house to get to where they're foraging. The neighbor mom still walks a little quicker until she's past but there's been no issues at all about the bees.

I'm sure other neighbors know; it's hard to be subtle wearing a veil and jacket while pumping plumes of smoke about you:rolleyes:.

Definitely get two hives. The differences bewteen mine are amazing. One started kicking out drones way before the other. The other hive maintains a bunch of queen cups while there's no queen cups in number 2. One flys earlier and later than the other...It's really something to compare the two. Good luck.

[bigbore]

All good points, however, we have all encountered those neighbors. The ones that say your bees stung them, or their kids, or their dog, or their friend, etc. I suggest having another location available that you can move the bees to if issues arise. And extra equiptment you can put into their place if you move them. Once the neighbor starts trouble the only way to stop it is to prove they are trying to make trouble for you. When the police are called for the third time open the empty boxes in front of the police, and they will likely ignore any additional calls from this neighbor about your bees.

I hope you don't have this issue, but if you do, you won't be the first to have them.

[NasalSponge]

Here is a picture of my hive set up, as you can see the fence is my property line.
So I say go for it!!

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k312/NasalSponge/IMG_0494.jpg

[Sweetened]

Here is a picture of my hive set up, as you can see the fence is my property line.
So I say go for it!!


So you don't find your back yard unusable? I would suspect not, as there were 4 or 5 bees around my yard this year (only) and they were all at my yellow raspberry bush, picking berries with me. I'm so greatful to you for this picture! Gives me a bit of confidence in my decision to research and possibly keep bees.

[Sweetened]

Exactly. My one neighbour would help watch them if I had to go on holidays and blame her cats for getting stung if they managed to go hive raiding. The other would/will likely try to pitch a fit.

[Sweetened]

I'm sure other neighbors know; it's hard to be subtle wearing a veil and jacket while pumping plumes of smoke about you:rolleyes:.

Definitely get two hives. The differences bewteen mine are amazing. One started kicking out drones way before the other. The other hive maintains a bunch of queen cups while there's no queen cups in number 2. One flys earlier and later than the other...It's really something to compare the two. Good luck.

Good point, and very interesting! For some reason, even though when I lived in BC I would drive by yards with 8 or 9 hives, I thought they would.. I dont know, fight? I always thought (again, you know what assume does before research!) all of those 8 or 9 hives were governed by one queen!

I just got to the point in my textbook that talks about multiple hives, so it's a very interesting suggestion! Thank you.

[Sweetened]

With either a privacy fence and/or keeping them 20 feet from the property line, should be no problem. Use common sense about when you work the hives also (not when there is a picnic going on next door.) I have kept bees at my house right next to my driveway where we walked by the hives daily with no problems. I currently have a hive at my inlaws in a dense neighborhood setting and they are fine.

Properly placed and without any overtly stupid behavior, neighbors simply don't even know the bees are there.

Very helpful. Thanks very much!

[Sweetened]

Yes, & Yes,
My bees are about 20' from a chain link fence.

I'm going to be surrounding my garden with a chain link fence, and was going to put the hives in the surround to help keep prying hands and paws away.

Thanks very much!

[Sweetened]

Good fences make good neighbors - an old saying, but true.

Goodness I hope so. She had some sort of agreement with the people who owned the house that if she had 4 feet between her garage and the fence on my property (if the former owners put one up) she would be fine with it. I had a site measure done about a month ago and found out her garage is 3 inches onto my property line.

She's going to be irrate when she finds out my fence will be either against her garage or her garage will be part of my fence! I'm not giving her 4ft! Don't know if thats me being selfish or stubborn!

Thanks so much

[sjj]

....

This is part of my research! I'm taking in what everyone says here in hopes I can determine how to best go about this....

The newest book: "Storey's Guide to Keeping Honey Bees" by Malcolm T. Sanford @ Richard E. Bonney will help you.

www.storey.com

[BeehindtheHive]

Goodness I hope so. She had some sort of agreement with the people who owned the house that if she had 4 feet between her garage and the fence on my property (if the former owners put one up) she would be fine with it. I had a site measure done about a month ago and found out her garage is 3 inches onto my property line.

She's going to be irrate when she finds out my fence will be either against her garage or her garage will be part of my fence! I'm not giving her 4ft! Don't know if thats me being selfish or stubborn!

Thanks so much

hmmm, that's interesting. Why would she need an "agreement"? Who told you that - her or the other owners? If it's not in writing or part of the local code. . .

Even more interesting is the thought of you running a fence through her garage. :cool: Maybe using that side wall to install storage shelves for yourself. ;)

Really, I don't think you should go looking for trouble, but shouldn't kowtow to one inconsiderate neighbor who is unneighborly to the rest of you. She only has the right to take advantage of the rest of you as long as you continue to allow it.

[garlicbee]

keep in mind

2 hives,( with 2 deeps, 2 honey boxed each stand lids) smoker, queen excluders and most of the basic stuff (1 jacket with veil) but no extrractor will likely cost you 1400 canadian that is with shopping around
includes 2 nucs (at 150 each)

[Sweetened]

keep in mind

2 hives,( with 2 deeps, 2 honey boxed each stand lids) smoker, queen excluders and most of the basic stuff (1 jacket with veil) but no extrractor will likely cost you 1400 canadian that is with shopping around
includes 2 nucs (at 150 each)

I haven't looked into cost yet, but I appreciate that information! It's one of those things, if research leads me to believe I can do it, I'll buy a piece here and a piece there as I can afford it.

I know there is grants in Saskatchewan for beekeeping supplies, but I haven't looked too far into it to find out how much and what the stipulations are.

[StevenG]

Build the fence first, not around the garden, but around your property line. Be sure to get a survey, certified, esp. since you suspect your difficult neighbor has encroached on your property with her garage. Use her garage wall as part of your fence. Then when she complains, show her the survey, and say "I figured you'd rather not move the garage so i could put my fence on my property." You are in the cat-bird seat on this one. Go for it! Fence, two hives, honey to enjoy on your biscuits!
Regards,
Steven