Do you register your hives?

[contactme_11]

I live in MA and I'm wondering if I am required to register all my hives. If you rent them out, do you have to inform them of each move?

[JP]

I find in lots of different states, beekeeping ordinances are pretty lax but this doesn't mean your state's department doesn't want you to register your bees, they most likely do, they may insist that you do.

I register mine, have a friend that registered his after a dozen yrs or so of the state asking him to on a very nonforceful approach, he finally decided to.


...JP

[Greg Peck]

Pa requires that you register your hives and I do. I probably would anyway even if it was not required.

[DaveKow]

Ohio is pretty lax about enforcement.  It only costs $5 per apiary site.  Does not matter how many hives.  To me, $5 bucks is worth getting the inspector out once a year.

Dave

[WhipCityBeeMan]

I also live in MA and I have learned that in MA it is better to try to get forgiveness than permission.  In other words the less they know the better.  This attitude comes out of the fact that MA requires a license, permit, fee or registration for practically every activity. 

I am waiting for the day when they require a farting permit and a catalytic converter attached to your rear end in the name of reducing your carbon footprint! 

I wouldn't bother. It may be cheap to register now but when there is a budget problem they have gone up  20 fold on other fees in the past.

[contactme_11]

I also live in MA and I have learned that in MA it is better to try to get forgiveness than permission.  In other words the less they know the better.  This attitude comes out of the fact that MA requires a license, permit, fee or registration for practically every activity. 

I am waiting for the day when they require a farting permit and a catalytic converter attached to your rear end in the name of reducing your carbon footprint! 

I wouldn't bother. It may be cheap to register now but when there is a budget problem they have gone up  20 fold on other fees in the past.

Whip City huh? I'm guessing you live in westfield?

[bassman1977]

I register also.  10 bucks isn't the end of the world (regardless of how many hives and locations you have) and you get a state inspection every other year (which I find beneficial).

[_Brenda_]

Illinois requires it and it's free.  I registered mine.
No big deal, and I have a certificate on the wall.  :-D

[KONASDAD]

I register mione. Three very good reasons. 1. isnecticide sprayers must check this list. 2. AFB has been found in 3 apiaries this year in my state and it helps keep me away from them.3 If zoning changes, you have proof of pre-existing use and will be grandfathered in.

[DaveKow]

3 If zoning changes, you have proof of pre-existing use and will be grandfathered in.

Excellent point!  I hadn't thought of that.

[qa33010]

     Arkansas requires registration of all bee yards (apiaries) and maximum number of hives in each one.  If you own the property registration is automatic.  If it is not your land AND you are within three miles of another apiary it will be disapproved until you get written permission from those already within that area granting you permission to have your bees there.  It is free and so far I have not had anyone within three miles.  That's registered anyway.  Also required to post apiary registration number at yard.

   Of course this is not the easiest area to keep bees according to older beeks and the book Honey Plants of North America circa 1926.

[pdmattox]

Florida requires just a registration of your hives and hives be marked with your reg. number. I pay 40 a year which i think is cheap for what i get out of the deal.

[rdy-b]

Florida requires just a registration of your hives and hives be marked with your reg. number. I pay 40 a year which i think is cheap for what i get out of the deal.

what do you get? virgina was giving keepers packages at half the price-we get a goose egg in cali- :lol:RDY-B

[pdmattox]

Time with the inspector and learning what to look for in disease and pest management. He went through half of my hives with me and  spent a good deal of the day there doing so. No golden goose eggs for us though.. only in California. I thought it was a bargin.

[SgtMaj]

It's required in TN... and well worth it.  If you ever get sued for some beek related matter, it helps to show you are at least following the law.

The main reason they require registration though is so that they can check for AFB. 

[ula ula]

over her in QLD Australia it is the law that you must register your hives. $11.50 year doesn't mater how many you got. they than give you a registered numb that you can ether paint on or get a fire brand made and burn it on.

[tlynn]

Florida requires just a registration of your hives and hives be marked with your reg. number. I pay 40 a year which i think is cheap for what i get out of the deal.

Plus they have a volunteer program with best practices for keeping out africanized bees.  If you sign up for it, they take a sample of your bees every year and send them to the lab for testing.  State recommends requeening every 6 months but our inspector didn't seem to agree it was entirely necessary.  They are saying yearly is fine.  Good thing about the program is if I have a neighbor complaining I have dangerous bees I can produce an official state document that says my bees are not africanized.  I figured in my residential setting that would be a good thing.

[charlescfry]

Not yet. As others have noted, Ohio (USA) has a $5 registration fee for your entire apiary - but my county does not even have a bee inspector. I suppose I will send in my $5 sooner or later, but it one of those trivial pieces of paperwork that I have yet to do it.

[SgtMaj]

but my county does not even have a bee inspector.

Ever thought of applying for the job?  Seems like it would be fun.

[buzzbee]

Yes