FAQ
Where do you get the honey bees from?
-We produce our own local "nucs," mini colonies complete with a queen, workers, drones, and eggs. We also purchase New Jersey nucs from a reliable and established apiarist.
How much space do the bees need?
-The bees don't take up much room and upon leaving the hive, will fly up and towards a source of pollen and nectar. According to the NJ Department of Agriculture, "It is possible to keep honey bees in crowded suburban areas, on tiny city lots or on rooftops in large or small cities without problems....Honey bees can be kept almost anywhere there are flowering plants that produce nectar and pollen."
Where do I put the beehives?
-Proper placement of the colonies is very important. We find the best place for your bees to thrive... typically in a location gets the morning sun. Flat rooftops are a great place to keep the bees productive and safe. Bee Haven adheres to the NJ Department of Agriculture's "Best Management Practices."
How many beehives can I have?
-We recommend a minimum of two hives per location to help ensure the colonies health and a productive honey yield but no more than three hives of honey bees per lot size of one-quarter acre or less. Larger properties can accommodate more hives.
How involved do I need to be?
-It's your call...You can do nothing other than chose the bottles for your honey or you can learn first hand how to raise bees and harvest honey from our expert apiarists.
Will I get stung?
-Not likely. Honeybees rarely sting except by accident or in defense of a beehive, because use of its stinger is lethal to a honeybee. Honeybees are not aggressive and are not interested in us or our backyard bbq's or drinks. It is important not to open their hive without wearing the proper equipment and to keep from standing directly in front of the hive. You can safely stay to the sides of the hive and watch the bees come and go.
When do I get my bees?
-As soon as the weather gets consistently warm, usually by the end of April or within the first few weeks of May. We can install colonies until October but we won't be able to harvest honey until the following summer.
When can I expect honey and how much will I get?
-We can harvest honey in the fall from hives placed on your property in early spring. A brand new colony produces about 25-30 pounds of honey in it's first year, established colonies typically produce even more.
How much money will it cost?
With our annual service agreement, we provide all the materials and expertise to keep your honey bees healthy so you can enjoy a delicious yield of propriety honey. Please contact us for the cost, which is dependent on your location and how many hives you decide to have.
