Ruhl Bee Supply
Want to keep bees, but think you can't do
so within city limits? Think again!
Here in the Portland Metro area, for
example, there are hundreds of urban
beekeepers. One only needs to do a bit of
checking with their city or county for
restrictions, and take a few precautions to
safely keep your bees -- and your neighbors
-- happy.
Tips for keeping your bees in urban areas:
1. Locate your bees where their flight paths
are unlikely to cross sidewalks or paths your
utility meter readers use. A tall fence or
hedge makes an excellent barrier--once the
bees fly up to that level, they usually won't
come down in the immediate vicinity.
2. Make sure your bees are habituated to a
water source within YOUR control. The
biggest complaint urban beekeepers
receive is that a neighbor's hot tub,
decorative pond or pet water dishes are
being raided by "your" bees. We
recommend using an entrance feeder for
water, with a pinch of sea salt in the mix.
Second best, a shallow tray of gravel under
a slowly dripping faucet.
Get your water source in place well before
hot weather hits. Once bees have become
accustomed to visiting a water source, it's
tough to get them to change their habits.
3. No, your hives don't have to be boring
white! You can paint your hives to match
the color of your own home, and make your
hives part of your landscape architecture.
We carry quaint and very functional
ventilated English-style garden hive covers,
which have become a huge hit for urban
beekeepers...and a great device for
convincing your better half to go along with
your new hobby. (hint, hint).
4. Have you learned that it's absolutely
impossible to keep honey bees at your
home? Consider Orchard Mason Bees! These
solitary pollinators are low-maintenance,
and are not known to sting.
Stay tuned for more information on urban
beekeeping!