How does Homestead Hives work?

We install and maintain a honeybee hive on your property (your Homestead Hive).. Our expert beekeepers monitor the health of your bees and perform a variety of tasks throughout the year to help them thrive. Towards the end of the season, we extract the honey and jar it for you.

How often do beekeepers visit my hive?

About once per month from early spring to late fall, depending on the time of year. If your bees are distressed and need extra support or need additional mite treatments, supplemental visits are included. We coordinate each visit in advance and send a summary report afterward.

How much space does a hive need?

Not as much as you’d think! A beehive takes up as little as 2’ x 2’..

• The beekeepers need a few feet around that to work the colony, and the bees’ flight path will need to be unrestricted (so we can’t place them right next to a solid fence).

• Each city, town, and village has its own separate regulations on where a beehive can be set up.

  Is my home suitable for a beehive?

• Not every home is an ideal candidate for beekeeping. Limited outdoor space can restrict the placement of a hive, making it difficult to provide bees with the necessary room to thrive. Proximity to neighbors may also pose challenges; bees can become a nuisance if they are too close to crowded living areas. Adequate access to water is essential for bee health, and homes lacking nearby sources may not support a thriving hive. Additionally, local regulations often dictate the permissibility of beekeeping, so it is important to do an assessment before determining whether your home has the necessities for bees to thrive. Click the button on the top right and we can come out for a free assessment!

  When do you install the beehive?

• Typically in April or May. Installations after June are accommodated on a case-by-case basis, depending on our inventory levels.

• Deposits for new hives are accepted at any time for installation the following season. We are currently not accepting any more homesteads for 2025, but will begin accepting homesteads for 2026.

  What happens if my bees die?

• We fully guarantee the health of our bees and queens. If a colony dies, we will replace it with a healthy one from our own stock at no additional cost.

• Of course, we hope each beehive will thrive for years to come. The reality is that pollinators are dying at an unprecedented rate. Should your hive succumb to the fates of up to 40% of beehives in the US each year, and not survive due to disease, poor habitat, weather, or pests, your emotional and financial investment is not for naught.

  Can I, or my kids, tend the hive with the beekeeper during the inspections?

  Absolutely! Let us know when we are scheduling you as a new customer and we will make sure we have the right size protective equipment for you. We are happy to introduce you to your hive during our routine visits! Your queen would love to meet you!

  Do you offer on-call support?

  Our Madison headquarters is staffed and available Monday through Friday during work hours by phone or email to answer questions. When a colony requires extra attention, additional visits are made at no cost to you.

  How do I coordinate the routine beehive visits?

  We handle it! Beehive visits are scheduled at least 72 hours in advance via email.

  Do I get to keep my honey?

  Of course! We extract and bottle the honey for you. If your hive did not produce more than 25 pounds in excess of what the bees need to survive the winter, we will supplement the honey extracted from your hive with honey produced from our local Homestead Hives apiary.

  Can I select my jars?

  We offer our homesteads a selection of types of honey jars including glass mason jars and plastic bears.

  Can I select my labels?

  Not all jar shapes are conducive to labeling. But if you select a jar that is label-able, we are happy to work with you to design a label for the top! We’d even recommend including your Queen bee’s name on the label!

  Is hosting a beehive safe?

  Beehives can be safe for both humans and the environment when managed properly. Honeybees, known for their essential role in pollination, generally exhibit a calm demeanor unless threatened. With professional installation and regular maintenance, as provided by services like Homestead Hives, the risk of bee stings can be minimized. Proper education about bee behavior and safety measures can further ensure that beekeeping remains a positive experience for all involved. Creating a healthy environment for bees not only enhances local ecosystems but also contributes to sustainable agriculture.

  Do bees sting?

  Bees can sting, although honeybees generally do not sting unless they feel like the hive is being threatened.

  What if my neighbor is allergic to bees?

  If your neighbor is allergic to bees, it is important to approach the situation with caution, thoughtfulness, and consideration. Here are some steps to take:

  1. Open Communication: Talk to your neighbor about your beekeeping plans. Inform them about the precautions you’ll be taking to ensure safety.

  2. Hive Placement: Ensure that your hive is placed far enough away from their property. A distance of at least 20 feet is generally recommended to reduce the likelihood of bees flying toward their space..

  3. Local Regulations: Familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations regarding beekeeping, ensuring that you are in compliance and respectful towards neighbors.

  Taking these steps can help foster a positive relationship with your neighbor while ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

  Are you insured?

  Of course! Our beekeepers are insured for the tasks they will be performing when coming onto your property.

  Your services aren’t in my budget this year, how can I get involved in helping bees?

  Follow us on social media, plant bee-friendly pollinating plants, and purchase local honey from your local farmers market!

  Your services aren’t in my area this year, how can I get involved in helping bees?

  We would encourage you to follow your local beekeeping association on social media and maybe attend some of their meetings. Rural agricultural extensions offices are a great place to start.

  Can I pay monthly instead of yearly?

  Not at this time. While we are working towards payment options that are accessible for all of our clients, we are not able to offer monthly payment plans at this time.

  What is your cancellation policy?

  Normal contracts last until the end of the calendar year (December 31st). Any cancellation and request for a refund is solely at the discretion of Homestead Hives. We do not typically issue refunds for services, unless we judge it to be extenuating circumstances.

  What if I want to harvest my own honey? Can this save me money?

  We will conduct the harvest for you! Harvesting your own honey will not save you money, and may also lessen the amount of honey you get from your hive.

  Can I name the Queen in the hive?

  We’d be disappointed if you didn’t! We always love seeing the creativity put into naming Queens! In fact, our very first Queen bee was named “Beeyoncé.” But, if you’re looking for suggestions :“Elizabeth” is a great traditional name for a Queen, or you could get creative and name her “Bohemian Rhapsody” or “Freddy Mercury.”

  What is your favorite, weird honey fact?

  Honey is the third most likely subject of food fraud in the United States (after mislabeling of seafood and olive oil). Many (non-local) honey producers will mislead consumers about the origin of the honey, may water down the honey with artificial sweeteners (like rice syrup), or import honey contaminated with heavy metals or pesticides. The EU did a study and found 46% of its honey tested positive for additional sweeteners.

  Homestead Hives’ honey is always raw and hyper-local, provided directly from your backyard. It is truly yard to table honey.

  Have another question that we didn’t answer?

  Send us an email at support@homesteadhives.com. We can’t wait to answer it!