How much space does a person need for a Honey Bee hive or an apiary (2 hives or more)?
Beehives do not require a large amount of space to thrive. The hive simply needs approximately 2 ft x 3 ft of space to place the equipment and enough room for the beekeeper to work the around hive. This applies to multiple hives in an apiary as well
How does a company know where to place their hives?
Before we install hives at a location we will schedule a site visit to walk the property and discuss where the bees would be best located. Honey Bees need a dry location that is in full sun.
What area do you service?
We are currently working the Hamilton County and surrounding areas. We are looking to expand into other areas as we continue to grow.
Why is there a minimum term to your contract?
We offer a minimum 2-3-year contract to ensure the individuals that sponsor our hives are dedicated to helping create lasting change in regards to the issue of honey bee decline. We do not want to have hives displaced just a short time after being installed at their intended location though we do understand that there are always circumstances beyond our control.
What if the individual has a question about their bees or would like to contact Tennessee's Honey Bees to set up a day for personal engagement with the hives they are sponsoring?
The individual will have the contact information for Tennessee's Honey Bees we can answer most questions and schedule a time to take the sponsor on a trip into their hives.
What about personal / family safety?
Unlike wasps and yellow jackets, Honey bees usually only sting as a last resort because they will actually die in the process. We strategically position each hive to avoid bees flying across frequently used areas. While the bees are out foraging, they are quite docile insects. We also encourage individuals to work with us to install educational signage about the bee hives and a small fence around the hive location.
Download the Cost to begin Beekeeping Document
How many hives should a company start with?
The number of hives an individual would like to start with is completely up to them, but we recommend each apiary have at least two hives. This increases the rate at which each hive grows and helps ensure their success each year. It also allows us to compare the two to make sure things are going as planned for the chosen area.
Why should a individual want to sponsor a hive from Tennesse's Honey Bees?
Tennessee's Honey Bees is committed to growing healthy Honey Bee populations as well as educating individuals on our precious pollinators. Tennesse's Honey Bees is building their reputation on excellence and expert maintenance of all the Honey Bee hives in our care. The Sponsor a Hive program is unlike anything else the market has to offer.
Does an individual need to plant a flower or vegetable garden before they Sponsor Honey Bee hives?
Honey Bees can travel up to 3 miles to find forage! Vegetable and flower gardens are not required to have hives, but the addition of a garden is a great way to offer bees food throughout the season.
What plants offer bees food year-round?
At Tennesse's Honey Bees we recommend anyone check out the information at the following links just to learn more about Honey Bees.
University of Tennessee's Beekeeping in Tennessee
https://ag.tennessee.edu/EPP/Extension%20Publications/Beekeeping%20in%20Tennessee.pdf
The USDA's Native Plants for Summer and Fall Honey Bee Forage
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/mdpmcbr12090.pdf
We want to ensure that a hive has the opportunity to build a healthy, strong population before we take honey. Year one we let the hive grow to prepare for the following winter. In year two, we deliver the first harvest of locally produced honey to each individual with hives.
How much honey does a hive produce?
The amount of honey a hive produces each year truly depends on Mother Nature. On the average a hive in the city can produce around 40 lbs. No matter how much a hive produces, all of the honey from an individuals hive is theirs to keep!
What do Individuals do with the honey?
Each Individual chooses different ways to use their honey. Giving it away to friends, making it into beer or mead, offering it in holiday gift baskets, or placing it on the breakfast table are all ways the honey could be used.
What is offered in a hive package with Tennessee's Honey Bees?
Our typical sponsorship package includes: a standard white beehive but if you prefer a custom painted hive we can supply you one empty that you can decorate the exterior to suit your style, really the Honey Bees don't mind. We provide the Honey Bees, you get the honey produced in the second year, quarterly hive updates and end of year environmental reporting data! Each partner works with us to create a sponsorship package that fits their vision for sustainability.
How often does Tennessee's Honey Bees come to maintain the hives?
Beekeeping is very dependent on the season. During the spring and summer we will visit the hive weekly/biweekly, and during the winter we will visit each hive once a month.
What kind of impact will an apiary make on the environment?
With each hive sponsored over 50,000 bees will be added to your property! This addition of healthy bees will increase pollination in the area and will help rebuild a healthy ecosystem.
How does a company know where to place their hives?
Before we install hives at a location we will schedule a site visit to walk the property and discuss where the bees would be best located. Honey Bees need a dry location that is in full sun.
What area do you service?
We are currently working the Hamilton County and surrounding areas. We are looking to expand into other areas as we continue to grow.
Why is there a minimum term to your contract?
We offer a minimum 2-3 year contract to ensure the indic=viduals that sponsor our hives are dedicated to helping create lasting change in regards to the issue of honey bee decline. We do not want to have hives displaced just a short time after being installed at their intended location though we do understand that there are always circumstances beyound our control.
What if the individual has a question about their bees or would like to contact Tennessee's Honey Bees to set up a day for personal engagement with the hives they are sponsoring?
The individual will have the contact information for Tennessee's Honey Bees we can answer most questions and schedule a time to take the sponsor on a trip into their hives.
What about personal / family safety?
Unlike wasps and yellow jackets, Honey bees usually only sting as a last resort because they will actually die in the process. We strategically position each hive to avoid bees flying across frequently used areas. While the bees are out foraging, they are quite docile insects. We also encourage individuals to work with us to install educational signage about the bee hives and a small fence around the hive location.
