What should I expect

[Smokehouse]

This probably gets covered frequently but was unsure what to query in the forum search.
I am interested in beekeeping. I have spoken to a couple of people about this and they don't seem to think of it as a problem. I live in a residential neighborhood with standard lot sizes of .25 to .35 acres so not huge. There are families with kids, specifically both neighbors. Is it plausible to have a hive in a back corner of the property without causing a commotion? Is the hive active all day, are there thousands of bees flying around constantly. I know these bees are bred to be docile etc...but what should I expect. I just dont want kids to get hurt or the bees to be a nuisance to my neighbors.

Do any of you have experience with this? Thank you for your thoughts in advance.

[Robo]

try searching on

neighbors
swimming pool
suburbs

You will find plenty of discussions

[Two Bees]

You could place a small lattice-type fence or 3-4 tall bushes to hide the hive from the neighbors.  This would also force the bees to fly up before heading out for nectar.  Gets them up above most people's heads.  Don't paint the hive a bright color.  I don't paint my boxes at all and let them just naturally weather to a greyish brown.

My bees don't actually swarm in a large "cloud" of bees but they can be busy during the day.  Most of the time, my neighbor doesn't even notice them flying through his back yard.

The only time there is a large "swarm" of bees is during the mid afternoon when they are doing their orientation flights.  Only lasts about 30-45 minutes though.

Just my thoughts.

[Two Bees]

Smokehouse, where are you?

[Smokehouse]

Jacksonville,fl

[iddee]

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,24907.0.html

[indypartridge]

Get in contact with a local beekeeping club. Clubs often offer beginning beekeeping classes, and are great places to find mentors and get connected with nearby beekeepers:
http://apisenterprises.com/fsba/fsbalocal.htm

[mathispollenators]

You need to check for neighbors pools because if they have them sooner or later your bees would make you a target.  Other than that check local laws to see if there is an issue there.  You need to search out Tom Dowda he's the state bee inspector for that area and could answer lots of questions about these things maybe over the phone.

Tom Dowda
[email protected]
Telephone: 352-372-3505 ext 451
Fax: 352-334-0715

If I got the bees I would put up the high fence to direct the flight pattern over head that's always good.

[Michael Bush]

I often have people call that they have bees in the walls of their house.  Usually it turns out they have been there for years and no one noticed.

[qa33010]

     When I finally decided to really have honeybees I informed my neighbors of my decision, during my year of reading, and watched their reactions.  We have no ordinance against beekeeping, but I did my best at explaining what to expect to the neighbors AND their kids.  This included what would/could irritate them as well as their normal disposition and that they would PROTECT their home the same as we would if ours was violated.  I explaned to the kids the same and that anyone with hair darker than my sons' could be considered a predator if they are trying to stir them up.

     When the bees arrived (cutout) and we set them up many neighbors watched as three of us in short shirt sleeves set them up opened the hive entrance and visited while they flew around us.  That is still a very gentle hive.  The kids started to dare each other to go get the ball that was 'accidentally' thrown at the hives.  When my son got zapped by five (he got cocky) and ran screaming into the house begging me to take the stingers out (he already had) and I was still at the hives, the neighbor kids suddenely paid attention to what I had told them.  Now no one bothers them.  My one neighbor had erected a seven foot fence even before he knew I was getting bees.  Now the neighbors have mostly (except for the two immediately next to me) forgotten that I have bees until I bring them honey each year I have any.

     There are now four beekeepers on our block in the middle of town.