If you are contemplating keeping bees for the first time, here are some important pointers as to where you should site your apiary. Remember, we all depend to some extent on the goodwill of our neighbours and don’t want to upset them!

• Neighbours may not be as fond of bees as you are!
• If you’re on good terms with your neighbours talk to them before you get your bees, explain that at certain times of the year you need to open the hive every 7 days or so and that problems may arise with swarming or with bees staining washing hanging on the line. Promise them a jar of honey!
• Try not to inspect your hive when you see the neighbours, especially children, out in their garden.
• Avoid placing hives near a boundary unless it is a solid structure such as a wall, fence or hedge. A solid high boundary (2 meters plus) surrounding the hive will force the bees to gain height quickly as they exit the hive; a bamboo roll fence or trellising supporting fast-growing climbers such as honeysuckle may provide a quick and easy way of diverting your bees above passing humans and reduce potential for contact or conflict.
• Your bees should be of good temperament; if they angrily buzz round you whenever you approach the hive or chase after you for more than 5 meters after you’ve inspected the hive then your bees may not be suitable to keep in an urban environment. Re-stocking or re-siting may be your best options. For advice on a suitable out apiary site one of the IBA committee members will be happy to help.
• If you only have a small area available decide the maximum number of hives you will keep at this site and stick to it, but remember an opportunity might arise to increase your own stock over the summer.
• Ensure your own garden has a stock of plants producing good foraging opportunities for bees and ensure that your bees have a source of clean drinking water relatively close to the hive, a small pond or shallow bowl sunk in the soil will suffice.
• If your garden is small or your family and neighbours aren’t keen on having bees near them there is no point in confrontation and you would be best advised to look for a site elsewhere.
• The larger the garden the more options you usually have.

The British Beekeepers Association have produced an excellent fact sheet looking at this subject entitled Bees, Neighbours and Siting an Apiary ( NO. LO11)