Bees and Neighbors

[kaisfate]

Im new to beekeeping and expect to have my first hives for Spring 2009. I live in a semi-rural area, each home has 1-5 acres and my property backs up to about 4000 acres of uninhabited (by humans that is) land. My first question is this:

Should I alert my immediate neighbors to the fact that I am keeping bees. Maybe in a short letter, explaining the benefits of bees, how they are not dangurous because of the distance they will fly and asking for notice of pesticide use and if a swarm were to happen?

Secondly, my house sits on a 2.2 acre parcel and like I said, backs up to 4000 acres of unihabited land. Aprox how many hives could I have on my property and still have enough bee resources?

Thanks!

[beedeetee]

Personally, I would wait until they had been in place for a couple of months before notifying anyone. That way if someone expressed doom and gloom, you could say that they have been in place for quite a while and haven't bothered anyone (hopefully).

As for 4000 acres, it depends on what, if anything, is on that 4000 acres. The bees may have more luck in the inhabited area with flowers, etc. that people have planted in their yards. My bees back up to 10's of thousands of acres of public land, but it is mostly second growth fir trees. They do okay, but it would be easier if they were closer to civilization I think.

[honeyman46408]

With 2.2 acers you should bee able to put them some place outa site

[iddee]

If they are neighbors you chat with, I would simply mention I would like to have bees and see their reaction. Then act accordingly.

My hives are very visible from the street and I have had neighbors stop and thank me for having them. Another has asked me to teach her to keep them. BUT, it only takes one to cause trouble.

[D Coates]

If you know of an ordinance specifying against bee's you've got a problem. Otherwise I've always found it easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. This rule does NOT apply to spouses or purchasing big ticket items.

Drew

[daknoodle]

I'll be setting up in a very urban location this spring. I'm not notifying anyone. Its my property, I'll do as I please. As for the city ordinances, do check, I've done that and my city actually welcomes beeks.

I'm going to agree with the statement that they'll actually do more good in the civilized areas. However if the 4000 acres behind you is public land and you have access to it, go out sometime and plant some wild flowers.
Though be sure you don't do any damage to the ecosystem by introducing some parasitic plant that takes over everything.

[kaisfate]

honeyman46408 says: With 2.2 acers you should bee able to put them some place outa site

kaisfate replies: I could "hide" them in a couple locations, however the best place for them with lots of sun and facing the back of the property is on a small hill that is visible from the road.

beedeetee says: As for 4000 acres, it depends on what, if anything, is on that 4000 acres

kaisfate replies: I live on the central coast of california, lots of wild mustard, california poppies, misc lupin and rosemary.

D Coates says: If you know of an ordinance specifying against bee's you've got a problem

kaisfate replies: There are no ordinances that I could find.

I think I will wait, not mention anything and then answer any questions when I give them thier first jar of organic, locally grown and farmed honey.

[dickm]

One way a neighbor could have a semi-legitimate complaint is if bees started using a swimming pool for a water source. Once they start, it's hard to switch them. Get ahead of this. Most of the year is fine but during an nectar dearth bees become desperate for forage. A barrel full of empty soda cans at a picnic or barbecue could wreak havoc. Good luck, It's a lot of fun.

dickm

[peletier]

Do exactly what you said......don't say anything until there is a question. Then answer it with honey in your hand.

[MapMan]

Don't tell them... for now. Start with a 2-3 three hives and then you will expand your operation to 20, 30 50...

Hopefully your neighbors won't use garden and lawn sprays much.

MM

[walking bird]

kaisfate replies: "There are no ordinances that I could find.

"I think I will wait, not mention anything and then answer any questions when I give them thier first jar of organic, locally grown and farmed honey."


First, your county may "require" you to register your hive(s). You might check that out, if you care to. If you're part of the city of Paso, there might be something in the municipal code, but it's usually about setbacks from property lines and such, and you've got plenty of room so it shouldn't be an issue.

As a side note: you won't be in a position to label your honey, "Organic," unfortunately. Once you're within a couple miles of nectar sources you don't control, (such as one of your neighbors' garden) you can't swear that pesticides aren't in use. True organic production calls for some serious "outback" beekeeping.

I'm up in the CA chaparral too. Wait 'til you see how crazy your bees go for the hollyleaf cherry blooms in April!

[beecherri]

dickm is right. You need your own good water source for the bees. I have previously done some online search about bees and neighbors. Here are some good sites of info.

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline...look_30_m.html
http://www.ento.psu.edu/MAAREC/pdfs/...op_Area_pm.pdf
http://www.ledgersentinel.com/articl...e/bee4you.html
http://media.www.dailynorthwestern.c...-2341312.shtml
http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/PPDL/DGP/DGP101.pdf
http://www.ento.psu.edu/MAAREC/BegApiaryLocation.html
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/crops-and-...ing-14945.aspx
http://gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/rf/life/life.html
http://www.beemaster.com/honeybee/youbees.html
http://pollinator.com/suburbs.htm
http://www.gobeekeeping.com/LL%20lesson%20six.htm
http://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisi...guidelines.pdf
http://www.roanoke.com/extra/wb/76600
www.beesource.com/pov/usda/beekpUSA33.htm
http://www.jeffcobeekeepers.com/freq..._questions.htm
http://www.plantboard.org/apiary/hon...Newsletter.pdf
http://www.backyardhive.com/kb/What_...%2C_the_kids)/
http://beeclass.com/DTS/201lessonfive.htm
http://www.askaamc.org/neighbors/new...x.php?id=15551

[kaisfate]

I have water at a barn right next to where I’m putting the hive boxes...and I will make sure there is a water source close to the hives available...before the bees are installed

I looked all through the SLO County website and couldn’t find any mention of "registering" hives, only that they are required to be "accessible" to inspectors. I’m not in the city so that shouldn’t be a concern.

I’m not familiar with the Holly Leaf Cherry but I checked it out and think I will plant some around my property line. I’ve been looking for some large bushes to make a sort of natural fence-line and those look perfect...they get HUGE!

[Eaglerock]

home has 1-5 acres and my property backs up to about 4000 acres of uninhabited (by humans that is) land.

Should I alert my immediate neighbors to the fact that I am keeping bees.

Secondly, my house sits on a 2.2 acre parcel and like I said, backs up to 4000 acres of unihabited land. Aprox how many hives could I have on my property and still have enough bee resources?

How close are your neighbors?

I would do as somneone said, put them there and wait. Most will not even notice and later you can talk about it and tell them they have been there since April or whenever.

With 2.2 acres, I am thinking if you place them far back against or near the 4000 acres you might not even have any problems. As far as how many, that really is up to you... bees will travel miles for food. Don't worry, there will be enough food to go around.

[dhood]

I dicided to put some hives on my fathers property, he enjoys watching the bees, and it helps his garden. I decided to ask his neighbor his opinion first, he initially said that he liked bees and was glad I was bringing them, 6 months later, he told my father that he had a week to get rid of the bees. It seems that he forgot to ask his wifes permission first. I had to go back and inform him that I was just trying to be courteous, and that we did not have to have his permission. From my experience, I would also say, don't tell them. And don't put them in a location that they will see them every time they walk outside When you ask first, they think that they can have you move them at their command.

[the kid]

sounds like you live next to me as I have 1000s in back
I have 5 hives ,, next year more ( I hope ) had hives three years ,, have them in a fence ,, keeps other kids out ,,, told one one in the next house this year ,,,he said he lived next to others so big deal ,,, none of the kids around has ever said any thing to the grand kids , so far ..
keep them for three or four years then let others know .. then they have nothing to say cause they been there and never knew ..
when the girls go ,, they go straight towards the neighbor , did that from day one .

[Michael Bush]

>Should I alert my immediate neighbors to the fact that I am keeping bees. Maybe in a short letter, explaining the benefits of bees, how they are not dangurous because of the distance they will fly and asking for notice of pesticide use and if a swarm were to happen?

In my experience their fears are so exaggerated that it's better to say nothing. They will find out, of course, and you can act like it's normal, which it is, and by then they will realize that they were not inundated by bees.

[vajerzy]

Im new to beekeeping and expect to have my first hives for Spring 2009. I live in a semi-rural area, each home has 1-5 acres and my property backs up to about 4000 acres of uninhabited (by humans that is) land. My first question is this:

Should I alert my immediate neighbors to the fact that I am keeping bees. Maybe in a short letter, explaining the benefits of bees, how they are not dangurous because of the distance they will fly and asking for notice of pesticide use and if a swarm were to happen?

Secondly, my house sits on a 2.2 acre parcel and like I said, backs up to 4000 acres of unihabited land. Aprox how many hives could I have on my property and still have enough bee resources?

Thanks!

Subdivisions may have some covenants and rules/regs about keeping bees. a I know some people who kept them in "planned" communities and the hives had to go when the homeowners association found out. The bees were considered "livestock" and livestock was forbidden- I guess they meant cows sheep, etc. when it was written.

[NasalSponge]

I will be setting up two hives his spring in the middle of OKC in my backyard which is 80' by 60' give or take and I do not intend to ask my neighbors permission, as it where....Oklahoma is very bee friendly and I can find no county or city ordences concerning bees...only state. Besides I consider them pets....thousands and thousands of sweet girls! So my opinion....just do it.