Getting bees involves two main approaches: modifying the landscape to support native, solitary pollinators, or intentionally acquiring a managed colony of honey bees (Apis mellifera). Both pathways contribute significantly to the local ecosystem, supporting food production and plant biodiversity. Successfully integrating these beneficial insects into your property requires understanding whether you aim to host wild species or become a beekeeper.
Cultivating a Welcoming Environment for Native Species
Creating a hospitable environment for native bees (such as mason bees and bumblebees) requires providing continuous food, water, and protected nesting sites. Native plants are the foundation, as they co-evolved with local species and offer the necessary nutritional balance of nectar and pollen. Ensure a steady food supply by selecting a diverse array of plants that bloom sequentially from early spring through late autumn.
Different bee species are adapted to specific flower shapes, so a variety of tubular, flat, and open blossoms supports a broader community of pollinators. For instance, large bumblebees pollinate deep flowers, while smaller sweat bees prefer open structures. Bees also require a safe water source, such as a shallow dish or bird bath filled with pebbles or corks that offer dry landing spots.
Approximately 70% of native bees are ground nesters, excavating tunnels in the soil. To accommodate them, designate small, sunny patches of bare, undisturbed earth, as mulch prevents access to the nesting substrate. The remaining 30% are cavity nesters, utilizing hollow plant stems, dead wood, or pre-drilled blocks known as “bee hotels.” These structures should have holes 4 to 10 millimeters in diameter and be secured in a location sheltered from rain. Success also depends on eliminating or significantly reducing the use of insecticides and herbicides, which directly harm the insects and contaminate their food sources.
Pathways for Acquiring a Managed Honey Bee Colony
For those interested in managing a colony of European honey bees, acquisition involves choosing one of three methods. The simplest option for a beginner is purchasing a nucleus colony, or “nuc.” A nuc is an established miniature hive containing four to five frames, including a laying queen, worker bees, developing brood, and existing stores of honey and pollen. This option provides a head start because the queen is already accepted and laying eggs, and the bees have already drawn out comb.
A second common method is acquiring a package of bees, which consists of a screened box containing roughly three pounds of worker bees and a separately caged queen. The beekeeper must introduce the bees into a full-sized hive body immediately. The bees must begin drawing out new comb before the queen can be released to lay eggs. The entire package of worker bees will be replaced by new offspring within six weeks, requiring the colony to build quickly to survive.
The final method involves catching a swarm, a natural event where a portion of an established colony, including the old queen, leaves to find a new home. Swarms are generally docile and can be captured by shaking them directly into a hive box, often making them the most cost-effective way to acquire a colony. However, a captured swarm has no existing comb or food stores, and its success depends heavily on the time of year and subsequent nectar flow.
Immediate Site Selection and Colony Establishment
Once a habitat is prepared or a managed colony is acquired, immediate placement and initial care determine its survival and success. For managed honey bee hives and native bee hotels, the location should receive morning sunlight to encourage early foraging activity and offer protection from strong winds, often achieved by placing them near a fence or natural windbreak. A clear, unobstructed flight path leading to the entrance is also important to prevent congestion and agitation.
Managed hives should be placed on a sturdy stand or pallet to keep them off the ground, preventing moisture damage and defending against pests. When installing a nuc, the frames are transferred directly into the new hive body, maintaining their original order. A package of bees is typically shaken into the hive, with the queen cage suspended between frames for gradual introduction. For newly installed packages or captured swarms, supplemental feeding with a 1:1 ratio of sugar syrup is necessary. This provides the energy required to rapidly draw comb and build up the colony population, continuing until the natural nectar flow is robust enough to sustain them.