A checklist for wannabe beekeepers
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Before you bring bees into your family, you need to consider some things.
First, make sure you're allowed to keep bees.
The law on how many hives can be kept on private property varies, so if you're interested in keeping bees in your backyard, check with your local government office.
In Pittsburgh, residents can have two hives on a 2,000-square-foot plot. For every additional 2,000 square feet, property owners can add two more hives.
Once you get the OK from officials in your community, check with your neighbors.
Jana Thompson, a beekeeper who lives in the Mexican War Streets on the city's North Side, said she ran the idea past her neighbors before she put hives in her backyard.
She said that if her neighbors had objected, she wouldn't have pursued beekeeping. But her neighbors knew she wouldn't be irresponsible, so they were on board.
"Everybody else is great about it, and they're everybody's bees now," she said.
Once you settle matters with the neighbors, get in touch with Burgh Bees and plan to take a beginners course on beekeeping. The basic class covers bee biology and basic beekeeping techniques, including an overview of the necessary equipment.
For more information: burghbees.com, 412-473-2540 or email info@burghbees.com.
First Published August 18, 2011 12:00 am
