The lure of having your own honey, or saving the bees is probably something a lot of people go through. But knowing what is involved is another story…

First, honeybees are considered livestock. Some counties and the city of Baltimore all have rules and regulations for keeping bees. It’s not as easy as putting bees in a box and walking away.

Below is just a rough guide and estimate of prices to get started. It can be very rewarding and it can be very frustrating too! 

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• Find out what your county or the city requires for keeping bees, distances from property lines, fences, registration etc.

• Take a course on Beekeeping 101 from a local beekeeping club or organization. There are some online courses to take but if you can take one in person it really puts it into perspective. These are usually during the winter months.

• Get your equipment together first- Suit or jacket with veil, gloves, hive tool, smoker, bee brush are just to start.

• You’ll need to purchase bees, either a “nuc” which is usually a box with 5 frames of bees, nectar, pollen, eggs, brood and a queen or a 3# package of bees. A package consists of 3# of bees (~10,000) in a screened cage, with a queen enclosed in a queen cage in side of the package and a #2 can of sugar syrup as a picnic lunch for their trip. One should order these in Feb and March for pick up in April. A “nuc” will run about $185-$220.00 for and a 3# package is $140.00 to $190.00 depending on where you buy them. If you are going to have more than one hive you will need one for each hive.

• You will need most likely a deep hive body, bottom board, inner cover, telescoping lid, feeder and frames. You can buy this as a package from most beekeeping supply houses. Mannlake Beekeeping Supply offers a range from $150.00 for one box unpainted to a deluxe with enough to get you started at $412.00. Within about 2 weeks you will need to put another box of frames on top of the original hive to give the queen room. Check out the supply of beekeeping supplies from just one supplier : https://www.mannlakeltd.com/hives-components/beginner-essentials/

• Buying used boxes and equipment will save you money but it is suggested not to buy used frames as the bees could have died from a disease like American Foulbrood which is contagious and can kill a colony.

• It is not suggested to collect honey from the hive the first year, some do but realize you will have to feed them through the winter.

• Sugar! Your new colony is going to have to be fed. You will need to make 1:1 sugar syrup to feed them through the first year. Our honey flow is very short in Maryland and feeding is a must. After they are established you may not have to feed them through the summer, but you don’t want them to starve.

You will need to learn how to test and treat them for parasitic mites, and register them with the Md. Dept. of Agriculture Apiary registry. Apiary Inspection You will need to learn how to prep them for the winter months for survival.

Keeping bees is very rewarding and can be a lot of fun. We hope you will want to join the many beekeepers in the State of Maryland. If you are just interested in honey, find a beekeeper and buy directly from them so you know you are getting 100% pure raw local honey.

Contact us if you have any questions or would like to find a beekeeper in your area that sells honey, beeswax candles, and other products from the hive. Our email is GBBees23@gmail.com

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