Beginner’s Guide to Urban Beekeeping: How to Start Beekeeping in New York

Beekeeping is booming in New York City as more and more people have discovered the joys of keeping hives on their rooftops, balconies, and community gardens, and for good reason.

Urban beekeeping helps the city become greener and improves biodiversity. The presence of pollinator-friendly gardens does not only feed the bees but is essential for the survival of the human population, and we’re not talking just about honey.

Pollinators are an important factor in food production because they fertilize our plants and ensure better yields and growth. If you are curious about how to join the bandwagon, here’s how to start beekeeping in New York.

Why is Urban Beekeeping Important?

Gone are the days when beekeeping was restricted to the countryside. Urban beekeeping has many benefits for the city. Let’s look at some of the benefits.

1. Ensures a healthy ecosystem

Bees are one of the major pollinators that plants need for fertilization. As the bees get nectar from the plants, they transfer the pollen grains from the male to the female parts of the plants, which ensures that the plants produce seeds and fruits.

The availability of pollinator-friendly gardens protects the lives of pollinators, which in return ensures that we have enough food.

The bees are a blessing to rooftop gardens and community gardens because of the symbiotic nature of plants and bees, which is a huge win in food production. This creates a sustainable environment and a healthy ecosystem for all of us.

2. Production of honey

How would the world be without honey? Thanks to urban beekeeping in New York, we have sufficient local honey in our markets.

The bees feed on nectar and give honey in return. Urban beekeeping increases the source of high-quality honey, which has powerful medicinal properties such as wound healing, protecting us from colds, and acting as a healthy sweetener.

3. It is rewarding

When you start beekeeping as a beginner, you get to learn the wonder of nature and use your time to make the environment sustainable.

Join community beekeeper associations as it’s a good way to use your hobby and connect with others who have the same goal of using beekeeping as a source of livelihood or as a hobby.

How to Start Urban Beekeeping in New York Step by Step

Before you start beekeeping in New York, you need to know some of the legal rules and regulations put in place for New York City.

1. Register as a beekeeper

First, you need to register as a beekeeper at the NYC Department of Health. This was put in place to keep track of urban keeping in the city so that the department can protect other city dwellers and contact beekeepers in case of any issues.

Some of the rules and regulations you will have to put up with are the number of hives per property, how you transport or sell the bees, and that you need to keep the hives away from public areas to reduce the risk of angry bees attacking passersby unknowingly. This article shares more rules and regulations of beekeeping in New York.

Join the New York Beekeepers Association and learn the best code of practice put in place for hassle-free beekeeping. Ensure that you join your local beekeeping club to get the necessary advice and support from others who started before you.

2. Choose the right location

Once you have met the required legislation to start urban beekeeping, you need to choose the right spot to put your hives away from public areas.

Select a spot with access to sunlight away from strong winds, which can affect the bees. You should also put a small water tray or a shallow pond near the hives to ensure the bees quench their thirst and remain hydrated.

New York City is prone to hot summers and cold winters, so you need to take the weather changes into consideration to ensure the bees get the ideal environment.

3. Get the required beekeeping essentials

Once you’ve decided to be a beekeeper, you need to invest in the right tools for beekeeping before you can enjoy your first honey harvest. Here are some of them:

a) Beehive

You can start with a small flow hive, which is ideal for beginners, and place it on your rooftop. The Flow Beehive has an easy harvesting system that will save you time and money instead of using honey extractors

b) Bee colony

You need to purchase a bee colony from a reputable supplier in New York City. A colony has one queen bee and other 10,000 bees. Ensure you get disease-free, high-quality bees that will adapt to the New York climate.

Some people opt to capture a swarm of bees looking for a home around trees and bushes, but this requires expertise as it can harm you. You also don’t have a guarantee that they are disease-free.

c) Protective gear

You need to take safety measures to protect yourself from aggressive bees and prevent stings. The best way to do that is to wear protective gear, which covers your whole body, when you visit the hives. Some of the wears include gloves, a veil, boots, and a bee suit.

d) Smoker

Use a smoker to calm down the bees and make them dormant to reduce your risk of being stung. The smoker makes bees less aggressive and will give you ample time to inspect your hives.

e) Hive tool

Used to open the hive and scrap off wax and propolis from the hives without causing any damage.

f) Feeder

Use the feeder to give bees sugar syrup during seasons such as winter, where there’s less flowering and less nectar from plants, to ensure the bees have enough food to survive and make some honey.

4. Do regular maintenance of your hives

Inspect your hives monthly to see if the conditions are favorable for your bees. Check for any signs of diseases and whether the honey production is optimal so that you can take the necessary measures as soon as possible.

Engage with the local beekeeper association to stay up to date with the trends and get notified of any changes in the laws or in case of disease outbreaks.

5. Harvesting honey

Often, the best time to harvest honey is during late summer or early fall. At this time, the honey has less moisture content, and the honeycombs are capped with wax.

You will need protective gear and a honey extractor before you visit the hives, then use a smoker to smoke the way before you collect the honey. Filter the honey to remove impurities and store it in a cool and dry place in a bottle with a label of the date of harvest.

FAQs

• How do I start beekeeping in NYC?

Before you start beekeeping, ensure you have a solid understanding of beekeeping. Join the NYC Beekeepers Association to get a starter guide to urban beekeeping.

• Do you need a license to keep bees in NYS?

Yes, you need to register as a beekeeper with the Department of Health before you can start beekeeping, and will need to renew your registration annually.

• Can bees survive winter in New York?

Yes, bees can survive winter in New York, but they are less active unlike in warmer months. However, you need to keep the temperatures above 41 degrees.

• Can you keep bees in your backyard in NYC?

Yes, you can keep bees in your backyard in New York. However, you must first register your hives with the NYC Department of Health.

Final thoughts

Urban beekeeping is a great way to improve the healthy ecosystem in New York City. Aside from the delicious honey that has a wide range of benefits, beekeeping also forges a sense of community through the beekeeping associations and is also a source of wax that man uses. Hopefully, this comprehensive beginner’s guide to beekeeping was useful to help you start your urban beekeeping journey.

Found this Useful? You May Also Like:

• How to Create a Pollinator-Friendly Garden in New York
• Beekeeping Laws In New York State. Can I Keep Bees in New York?
• A Guide to Urban Honey Collection in New York City