subject: Beekeeping and Understanding the Bee Hive [print this page] When one is considering keeping a beehive on the property, there are other factors that come into play other than the design of the hive itself. I'd suggest looking into local council policies on keeping bees in your particular area before rushing out to buy your first hive and the bees to go with it. The placement of the hive on the beekeepers property is crucial, as is how much free space there is. A bee hive should not be placed in close proximity to homes, schools or other obvious places of recreation such as parks. Some people find bees bothersome, particularly for those who are known to suffer allergies to the sting of a bee. Bee hives should be situated nearby a source of nectar and pollen so that the bees have accessibility to food. In some cases, beekeepers use their bees purely to pollinate their crops. Also, the bees will require fresh water, whether it's a natural source or is given to them by the beekeeper. Predators need to be considered as well when choosing where to put the hive. These include racoons, skunks and bears. Vandals can also be an issue when there is the potential for "free" honey. The hive also requires protection from the elements such as severe weather but does need to be accessible at all times of the year. Although bees are active only at certain times of the year, beekeeping itself is a fulltime job!
