1. Setting up Your Apiary

2. Location First Things First! Have you checked ordinances? Do you have any neighbors with severe bee allergies? How large is the property? Do you know anyone that might want beehives on their property?

3. Location Recommendations Protect from Strong Winds Face Entrance towards Morning Sun (Helps warm bees up quicker) Some Shade in Afternoon to keep them from getting too Hot Does the Entrance of the Hive open to high traffic areas? A somewhat obscure location can keep public interest down Two hives are better than one if you have space

4. Water Source Bees Need to Drink Too! Bees might like to visit nearby swimming pools and bird baths for a drink. You can (hopefully) help reduce this by providing a shallow pan filled with water, a water fountain, or a pond. Etc. Do not place this directly by the hive, they like it a little ways away…

5. Urban Beekeeping Urban beehives can be very successful!!! You may want to plant lots of nectar and pollen supplying plants to give them something to eat. They can also fly up to three miles away to visit others’ flowers! Check your hive periodically to control swarming— bunches of flying bees tend to frighten. Also, you may want a heavy rock to keep your hive cover on during windy weather (especially in winter)

6. Register Your Hive! It doesn’t cost a thing. (You kinda have to anyway)

7. A Few Rules You must register your hive within 10 days. You must have your apiary identification number on your hive. Periodically check your bees so that your hive is serviceable/disease free. You will be sent a form each November Read through all the other rules just so that you have read them.

8. An apiary inspector from your region may schedule a visit. They can be helpful!!!