How much space do you need for a beehive?
At Buddha Bee Apiary, we install and maintain beehives in backyards.
These backyards come in many shapes and sizes. Some are several acres, and others are a few hundred square feet. While bees can live in a wide variety of environments, not every backyard is a good place to keep a colony.
Here’s a rule of thumb when considering whether you can keep a beehive in your garden:
A typical beehive is about 22 inches by 16 inches. You need at least five feet of space in every direction around the hive. If you plan to have multiple beehives, they should be at least three feet apart.
Can I have a beehive in my backyard? 5 factors to consider
“How much land do you need to keep bees?” This is a common question with an answer that isn’t a simple as most people would like. It all comes down to these five factors.
Safety
Stings are a nuance for some and dangerous for others. Safety should be your first priority when evaluating whether you have enough space to keep bees.
Before we install a beehive in a backyard, we always ask homeowners how they use the space. We want to find out what areas receive foot traffic, and keep the hive as far away from those spots as possible.
Careful thought should be given to the direction the beehive is pointed in, too. It should be pointed away from playgrounds or any other human hangout spots, as bees will be constantly flying in and out of the entrance.
2. Neighbors
Unfortunately, not everyone loves the idea of their neighbor keeping bees. Talk to yours before you set up a colony. Nine out of 10 times, they’ll be excited! And if they’re a little worried, just reassure them that bees are defensive—not aggressive. If you have a not-so-bee-friendly neighbor, the best you can do is keep your hive far from their property line. A fence goes a long way in keeping your neighbors safe, too.
3. Local laws and regulations
Some cities regulate residential beekeeping and rental beehive rental services. For example, the town of Cary, North Carolina has the following rules:
The minimum lot size required for beekeeping shall be 6,000 square feet.
No hive shall be established or kept within 10 feet of a property line.
The maximum number of hives allowed shall be determined based on lot size
In addition to local laws, some Home Owners Associations regulate beekeeping. Some HOAs ban beekeeping entirely. Others have specific bylaws such as requiring your hive to be a certain distance from your neighbor’s yard.
When in doubt, contact your local beekeeping association to ask about any restrictions in your area. Here’s a list of beekeepers associations by state.
Check your local code of ordinances. They may contain rules about residential beekeeping.
4. Water
The last thing you want is to be happily watching bees fly in and out of your new backyard hive only to have your neighbor call you upset that they have bees in their pool. Don’t worry, this can be easily prevented! We have a full guide about how to create a simple bee water station. If you want to go above and beyond, you can also plant flowers honeybees like.
5. Sunlight
The small hive beetle is a beekeeping pest. While it’s far from being the biggest challenge bees are facing, they still can be annoying. Sun helps keep these pests at bay. Try to set up your beehive in an area that gets several hours of sunlight. Early morning sun is best because it encourages bees to get up and forage.
How big can a hive get?
You may have come across bee infestations videos on YouTube. If a hive is healthy, has plenty of room to expand, and has a strong queen, it can grow to epic proportions!
That said, beekeepers don’t allow their hives to get this big. Most only stack three or four boxes before “splitting” a hive into two. A full box of honey can weigh over 50 pounds! Imagine trying to lift a box that heavy from the top shelf in your pantry. That’s what it’s like if a beehive gets too tall.
How many beehives can I have in my backyard?
The number of beehives you can have in your backyard depends on the size of your land. Each hive takes up about 2.5 square feet and should have a radius of space around it of at least five feet. Most beekeepers have between one and four hives. Remember, beehives are not set-and-forget. They require work to maintain. The more hives you have, the more work they require! Start small before you go all in and start giving bee farm tours.
How small can a beehive be?
As we mentioned above, a normal bee box is around 22 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 10 inches tall. This is about how small a managed beehive can be. Healthy colonies grow quickly and will require additional boxes during peak seasons.
We hope this information has helped equip you to make an informed decision about whether or not you can have a beehive in your backyard. Think you have enough space? Be sure to get in touch about our Host-a-Hive program. (We do the work, you get the honey!)
If you don't have enough space, don’t get discouraged. You can still experience the joy of beekeeping, even if you don’t have a hive yourself. Two things you can do today? Join your local beekeeping association and listen to beekeeping podcasts.