Before You Buy Bees: A Word of Caution

Aspiring beekeepers often rush into purchasing their first colony without fully understanding the responsibilities and complexities involved. Here are some of the crucial steps you should take before acquiring bees:

1. Gain Experience: If you’re new to beekeeping, consider gaining experience by volunteering at a local apiary or assisting an experienced beekeeper. Hands-on exposure will teach you valuable skills and help you understand the intricacies of hive management. Consider signing up for COAREC emails and joining them at the Teaching Apiary for a "Saturday in the Apiary", and our COBKA emails; we also have occasional hive inspections events that we email invitation to sign up for. 

2. Educate Yourself: COBKA offers an annual beginner's class, and we encourage all beekeepers who are able to participate in the Oregon Master Beekeeping Program, as well as gather as much information as possible by whatever means work best for you - before introducing bees into your apiary. Learn the basics of hive maintenance and disease prevention. Your apiary's health is going to be greatly impacted by small decisions. 

3. Find a Mentor: Seek out an experienced beekeeper who can guide you through the process. A mentor can provide personalized advice, answer your questions, and offer practical tips based on their own experiences. An accredited mentor is provided in the OMB program.

4. Research Local Regulations: Beekeeping regulations vary by location. Before bringing bees home, familiarize yourself with any local ordinances, zoning rules, and permit requirements. Being informed will prevent legal issues down the road.

Bees are delicate creatures that play a vital role in our ecosystem. Buying bees without proper knowledge can lead to unintended harm—for both you and the bees. Please take the time to learn, connect with fellow beekeepers, and build a solid foundation before buying. 

• Buying Nucs

• Buying Packaged Bees

Some interesting articles (no affiliation to COBKA):