What do I do if my neighbor has bees?

Just stay still. Once a bee realizes you’re not a flower and have no sweet nectar or sugar water to offer, it will go peacefully on its way. If your neighbor invites you to observe their beehive, keep a safe distance. We generally recommend standing at least ten feet away and never directly in front of the entrance.

Are beehives a nuisance?

Beekeeping in an urban or suburban area is possible but also dangerous if you do not understand how to keep your bees from becoming a nuisance, and potentially stinging your neighbors. Without the proper knowledge and equipment, backyard beekeeping is a dangerous venture.

Do you need permission to keep bees?

​It’s not worth the risk of keeping bees without permission. You can face stiff penalties for not registering your hive or keeping bees in an area where they’ve been banned. A hive of buzzing bees is not exactly a covert operation, and you’re bees will have trouble flying under the radar.

Do you have to register to keep bees?

Beekeeping is a seasonal hobby so the time spent on it varies with the seasons. You don’t need a licence to keep bees but Camilla says it is good to belong to a local association to keep you in touch with local expertise, local problems and conditions.

Do bees bother neighbors?

We can’t, in good conscience, say that your bees would never be a bother… but we can say that honeybees are quite gentle, and can make excellent neighbors with proper management!

Is bee keeping illegal?

If you live in the US, beekeeping is probably legal in your city. However, your city will have ordinances in place that must be followed. Luckily, you will find that many cities do allow beekeeping. Some ordinances put restrictions on beekeeping such as how many hives you can have.

Can you sue for a wasp sting?

1) You would be liable for wasp stings ONLY if they can show that you knew about the wasps but despite knowing them, failed to remove the wasps or warn the workers. A failure to take reasonable steps like those to protect people from a known harm is negligent, or careless, and can lead to liability.

Can you have bees in Houston?

Yes, beekeeping is legal within Houston. There may be homeowner or neighborhood associations that ban beekeeping; however, the majority of associations are encouraging, as honeybees improve the neighborhood. It is recommended, but not required, that you talk with your neighbors and educate them on your hobby.

Do you have to register beehives?

The law states: Every California and out-of-state beekeeper who moves bees into the state or comes into possession of an apiary must register with the appropriate County Agricultural Commissioner.

Do beekeepers give Honey to neighbours?

Just be aware that some beekeepers do not keep bees for honey, or may only harvest enough for themselves and therefore find it difficult to provide their neighbours with honey too. There are also times that mean the beekeeper cannot harvest honey, like drought (which causes flowers to produce less nectar) or winter (which causes flowers to die).

How can I Stop my Neighbour’s Bee Hive from facing my house?

If the problem is recurring, you may need to speak to your neighbour about orientating their hive so it does not face your house lights (or is blocked by a screen of sorts). If you are feeling particularly accommodating, you could also try to limit the use of external fluorescent lights, and draw your curtains at night.

How do I answer neighbours questions about bees?

Some beekeepers have even been known to create pamphlets to hand out to the neighbors when questions are asked. This is rarely necessary and, quite frankly, has the potential to make the question of bees seem much more of an issue than it might be otherwise. Another approach is to install a beehive first and answer questions second.

When should you call a beekeeper?

If your bees look like the fuzzy honey bee to the right, then you can call a beekeeper. Even though honey bees are lovely and help pollinate our food, they can be problems when they take up residence in our homes.