How to Start Your Own Apiary

How to Start Your Own Apiary

by Tiffany Harelik

Starting your own apiary can be a rewarding season of life, whether you’re interested in pollination, honey production, tax breaks, or simply supporting local ecosystems.

 

Apiary Set up Considerations

The first step is selecting the right location for your hives. Choose a site with plenty of sunlight, in a tree line, good drainage, and access to natural windbreaks, such as trees or fencing. Your bees will need access to flowering plants for nectar and water sources like ponds or bird baths with sticks or stones for them to crawl into/out of the water. Avoid areas near pesticides or where flooding is common, as these can pose risks to your colony.

Take additional concern to be away from penned livestock (500 yards).  In the United States, the entrance of your colonies should face south or southeast. This is because the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so a hive facing south or southeast will receive the most sunlight throughout the day.

I like to have weed cloth below my hives to avoid walking through grasses when I’m working. Note: please always wear protective equipment if mowing or weedeating around an active hive. I also like to have cinder blocks up around the permiter of my work area to discourage wild hogs, deer, livestock, and dogs. 

 

Equipment

Next, consider the equipment you’ll need to get started. A basic setup includes a hive, protective gear (veil, gloves, and suit), a smoker, and a hive tool. The most popular hive styles are Langstroth and top-bar hives. Langstroth hives, with their stackable boxes, are ideal for those focused on honey production and scalability. Top-bar hives, with their horizontal design, offer easier access and a more natural approach to beekeeping. Budgeting for your first hive and gear depends due to your hive style and supplier. Ask me for my list of preferred brands and suppliers before you go shopping :).

Langstroth Box

These come in 8- or 10- frame boxes. Additionally they come in ‘deep’ (the bottom box) or ‘medium’ (the top box) sizes. The top box, whatever the size is commonly referred to as a honey super. Whether you get 8- or 10- frames, you need to stay consistent with your equipment sizes so that everything is interchangeable. Notice, you will also need a bottom board, an inner cover, and a top cover.

Top Bar Style

This style can be purchased, or can be made on your own using lumber. The benefits for the beekeeper is that there is less heavy lifting, and they are cheaper in the short term. Depending on your goals, the weather, and the temperament of the hive – these aren’t favored styles for honey production.  Here’s a video of a friend of mine building a top bar hive, and another buddy doing the same :).

Common Pests and Disease

Once your hive is set up, it’s important to educate yourself on common pests, diseases, and the biology of honeybees. Pests like Varroa mites and small hive beetles can quickly damage colonies if left unchecked. Regular inspections and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies are key to maintaining hive health. Learn to recognize signs of diseases like American foulbrood or chalkbrood, and always keep your equipment clean to reduce contamination. Understanding honeybee biology—such as their brood cycle, foraging habits, and the role of each caste in the colony—will help you care for them effectively.

Understanding Bee Biology and Nutrition

Nutrition is critical for a thriving hive. Bees rely on diverse pollen sources to meet their nutritional needs, so planting a variety of flowering plants can support their health. You may also need to supplement their diet during nectar dearths or in the winter with sugar syrup or pollen substitutes. Starting an apiary is a learning curve, but with the right preparation, equipment, and ongoing education, you’ll soon enjoy the many rewards of beekeeping.

If you’re not ready to start your own apiary – renting hives may be a great option for you!

Email me to schedule a call: [email protected]