Would you buy a house next to someone who keeps bees?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, here's a caveat. Have you ever had bees form a colony inside one of your exterior (brick) walls? We did. Not fun and not inexpensive to get rid of them. Honey dripping and bees buzzing up in the ceiling above our light fixtures. A few bees figuring out how to crawl beyond the fixtures. My apologies to those of you who think they're wonderful--yes, they are--but not if they migrate.

I'm sure resolving this must have been a terrible mess for you.

But I just have to say that this sounds really cool in a science fiction-movie kind of way.

[Anonymous]

We have nearby neighbors that keep bees. I remember being a little afraid but we haven't had many problems. I mean we notice bees a lot, but I don't think we notice more since the neighbor started to keep them.

We live several houses down. Yesterday, when my son rode his bike by their house, a bee landed on his helmet. But the bee house was very close and its not like they swarmed him. But it did make me grateful we didn't live next door (because the lots are small).

My advice would really be dependent on the size of the yard and the proximity of the hive to your yard. I'd be hesitent if the hive was say - right next to the property line. But I'm also a little bee-phobic. But mainly because we have had wasp problems.

[Anonymous]

I haven't seen any actual beekeepers answer this post so I thought I'd chime in. I keep bees. It's typically legal to have one or two hives on a quarter acre in most jurisdictions. In fact, it's encouraged - if more people kept a single healthy hive, like we tend to our dog or cat, we might be able to save the bees. It's going too really suck for our diets, not to mention the rest of creation, if the bees go the way of the dinosaurs.

My bees live on a corner of my deck. They don't bother us when we are in our yard or on the deck. Much of the year I can actually tend them - get in there and take combs out - without any protective gear whatsoever. Bees are really not interested in you. They are only interested in going about their bee business.

Nonetheless I don't let my kids outside without shoes on (a good practice anyway) and I wouldn't do it if I thought one of them was allergic. I tell all the parents of kids who come here about the bees and discourage other kids from going on the deck.

It is a good idea to take basic precautions. FYI bees are more aggressive towards darker clothing. Wear shoes. Tell your neighbor if you are having a party so s/he doesn't open up the hive that day, hopefully. FYI bees don't fly in the dark if you are outside then. Tell kids the bees are there and tell them to stay away. Have an epi pen handy just in case. If the bees are able to be separated from your property by a hedge or fence in front of their hive entrance, they will fly up when they leave the hive, instead of straight out at ground level if you follow me.

The bees may be interested in your water sources (pools, dripping faucets) and any sugar water (like himmingbird feeders as another poster mentioned). Your neighbor should have water available for their bees.

OP I would encourage you to learn about bees, get to know your neighbor, maybe they will let you borrow some protective clothing and get close to the inside of the hive. It's fascinating. Watch out because it's also totally addictive Could turn you into a keeper too

Now if Africanized bees ever show up in VA..... bye bye bees. But until then I feel comfortable with them around my little children and my neighbors don't seem to be bothered.

[Anonymous]

PS, I actually got to see this, in person. Amazing. They communicate!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7ijI-g4jHg

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We found a house we really like, the only catch is my husband was talking to the next door neighbor and apparently he keeps bees on the property. He told my husband they stay in his yard. I have no experience with such things- will they really stay in his yard? We have two young children (1.5 and 3) and I am just concerned about being able to play outside.
Thanks so much for any insight.

Not in a can
Not in a car
Not in a fan
You keep them far.

I do not like bees near my bed,
I do not like them near my head.
I do not like them in my pants
I do not like them when I dance
I do not like them in my hair
I do not like them anywhere

I do not like the bees near ME
Get the bees away, let me be.

[Anonymous]

No. I'm allergic to bee stings. You never know if you're allergic till you get stung.

[Anonymous]

I say go for it!!

[Anonymous]

Anyone see the recent episode of America's Next Top Model where they put pheromones on jewelry the models were wearing. The bees were crawling all over them.

[Anonymous]

I was already living in my house when new neighbors AND THEIR BEES moved in. I have allergies to many types of bees and was livid. I spent a lot of time trying to find a law that would evict the bees, but there weren't any. Long story short, despite all my angst, I never had a problem with them, and all the bees died a year or two later anyhow.

[Anonymous]

What about bats? We're considering starting a bat house because our mosquitos are so vicious, but don't want to freak out the neighbors.

[Anonymous]

bees live behind us. Have 11 mo old. no problem...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was already living in my house when new neighbors AND THEIR BEES moved in. I have allergies to many types of bees and was livid. I spent a lot of time trying to find a law that would evict the bees, but there weren't any. Long story short, despite all my angst, I never had a problem with them, and all the bees died a year or two later anyhow.

I think my neighbor's barking dog is more of a nuisance than a hive of bees. At least bees are quiet.

So are you friends with your neighbors now? Or will the resentment stew forevermore?

[Anonymous]

No, never got to be friends since I was so opposed to the bees at the beginning. They moved away several years ago, and I barely know the people who moved in, sans bees, pets or kids. You're right about the barking dog. Far more annoying.

[Anonymous]

My dad kept bees for several years when I was a kid and we never had a problem. We played in the backyard all the time. They weren't flying all over the backyard and I was never stung there.

I agree with the PPs who say this is a nice service and more people should keep bees. It's not a nuisance to neighbors. I would not let this dissuade you from buying the house.

[Anonymous]

This is my favorite post of the year.