| Most people these days live within cities and | | | | the bottom of the pan. Put just enough water in |
| towns, and therefore believe it's not practical or | | | | the pan that the pebbles are still visible above the |
| possible to keep a beehive in their backyard. In | | | | surface of the water, but do not cover the |
| most cities, this is just not the case. There are | | | | pebbles completely. Your honeybees will use the |
| many city dwellers that are also beekeepers, with | | | | pebbles as a place to land and lower their |
| one or more beehives kept in their backyards. | | | | proboscis into the water. |
| There are even many people who keep a | | | | Two. You can also purchase special jars from |
| beehive on the top of buildings. Apiculture is very | | | | livestock and agricultural supply stores in your |
| flexible in where a conscientious beekeeper can | | | | area. The jars are then filled with water and |
| maintain one or two beehives. Care and | | | | inverted which allows the water to flow into a |
| maintenance of a beehive, and harvesting of | | | | reservoir which is part of the lid of the jar. Check |
| honey can be carried out in many places. | | | | the jars water levels regularly, and keep the |
| There are usually many locations within cities and | | | | reservoirs clean and the water easily accessible to |
| towns where honeybees can collect pollen and | | | | the bees. |
| nectar. Patches of flowers and other sources of | | | | Three. Another method to provide water for |
| pollen do not necessarily have to be close by. | | | | your honeybees is to build a small water feature |
| Honeybees can and will travel many many miles | | | | in your backyard, such as the pond or small |
| to find pollen and nectar. There are usually plenty | | | | flowing stream. This will not only provide a good |
| sources within a city for a honeybee to find all | | | | water source for your honeybees, but can also |
| the materials they need to keep their colonies | | | | be an attractive feature of your landscape. |
| healthy and strong. | | | | Ensuring your bees have a sufficient water source |
| The greatest concern that people who want to | | | | nearby will prevent them from going to a nearby |
| begin beekeeping in their backyards need to be | | | | swimming pool or a kiddie pool which might cause |
| aware of are bee stings. This is also, no doubt the | | | | your neighbors to complain. |
| greatest concern of your neighbors, when they | | | | Keeping your neighbors happy is an important |
| find out your setting up a beehive next door. But | | | | consideration when keeping beehives in a |
| you may rest assured, that with common sense | | | | suburban location. It's best that you limit the |
| and taking the proper steps, that everyone will be | | | | number of beehives in your backyard to just one |
| safe from bee stings. | | | | or two. Having more than that can easily alarm |
| One of the first steps you should take to protect | | | | your neighbors. Make sure you place your |
| your neighbors is to install a fence. By installing a | | | | beehives away from areas that are most |
| fence you will reduce the likelihood of your | | | | commonly used by your neighbors. |
| honeybees running into any children or adults | | | | Painting your beehives in colors that blend into the |
| nearby. Providing your fence is at least 6 foot | | | | natural surroundings of your backyard is also a |
| high, will ensure that the bees will be flying above | | | | good idea. Commonly, beehives are painted white, |
| everyone's heads. Another benefit of installing a | | | | but colors such as light green or light Brown blend |
| fence is to reduce the visibility of your beehives. | | | | into most landscapes quite well. Dark colors should |
| Remember, out of sight out of mind. If the | | | | never be used on a beehive. |
| people that live close by are not able to see your | | | | You might also consider inviting your neighbors |
| beehives, they will most likely not be concerned | | | | over to show them how gentle honeybees really |
| about their presence. A fence will also add | | | | are. Most people will easily see that honeybees |
| additional protection from the wind and weather. | | | | are not interested in people, but are busy going |
| Another consideration keeping bees in your | | | | back and forth to flowerbeds, which are usually |
| backyard is that your honeybees have a sufficient | | | | not nearby. |
| amount of water nearby. In nature, honeybees | | | | But I found that the best way to win your |
| usually build their hives close to natural water | | | | neighbors hearts, is to provide them with a nice |
| sources. Within your backyard you will need to | | | | jar of freshly extracted honey after each |
| have water sources near your beehives. Use | | | | harvest. |
| these easy-to-follow tips to ensure your | | | | I hope you found this information helpful in |
| honeybees have sufficient water. | | | | deciding on whether you want to begin |
| One. Get a shallow pan and place pebbles within | | | | beekeeping in your backyard. |