Want to keep bees, but think you can't do
so within city limits? Think again.
It is entirely practical to keep city bees.
Like urban gardening, urban beekeeping
helps the city dweller satisfy a vital need
to reconnect with the natural world.
Studies have repeatedly shown physical
and mental benefits of reclaiming this
connection.
Here in the Portland Metro area, 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!
Most people walk right by our three city
hives without noticing them (top right) .
We keep them backed up against our
hedge
Ruhl Bee Supply