Is beekeeping legal in Virginia?
The Virginia Bee Law requires that honey bees on combs, hives and equipment with combs must be accompanied by a certificate of health issued by the Office of Plant Industry Services prior to being sold in Virginia.
How much does it cost to buy a bee colony?
Cost of supplies. You will need to invest in supplies such as a hive, proper protective clothing, a smoker, and hive tool. As of this writing, a single new hive may cost about $150, clothing and gear may cost about $160, and a package of new bees may run $125 to $150.
Can I hire a beekeeper?
Hire us to extract an established honey bee colony from a building. Minimum charge is $50 which includes the first hour of traveling and work. Every additional hour costs $25.00.
Are honey bees protected in Virginia?
And there is a Virginia Bee Law that regulates the sale of honeybees and their movement into the state. Honeybee colonies must have a certificate of health and commercial hives and beekeeping equipment are all subject to inspection.
How do I start beekeeping in Virginia?
To apply, you can submit an application online or by mail; you will have to create an account online before submitting the application. You can mail the application to VDACS Office of Plant Industry Services/Beehive Distribution Program, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218.
How much is a queen bee worth?
(All Prices Include Complimentary Queen Marking)
| Mar-Apr | Jul-Sep | |
|---|---|---|
| 54 – 99 Queens | $32 | $27 |
| 27 – 53 Queens | $34 | $28 |
| 11 – 26 Queens | $37 | $30 |
| 1 – 10 Queens | $39 | $33 |
Can I raise bees in my backyard?
This means that new beekeepers are likely to live in a suburban neighborhood. Additionally, since a typical Langstroth hive only requires a few square feet, almost every backyard has more than enough space for a hive, so just about anyone with a yard could potentially keep bees.
Do beekeepers rent land?
By leasing their vacant land to a commercial beekeeper for legitimate commercial agricultural use, property owners may be able to save on their property taxes, insurance and other costs while helping to save the bees. Commercial beekeepers use the land to make honey and rebuild the health of their hives.
How much land do you need for a beehive?
Generally speaking, most backyard beekeepers have 1 to 2 acres of land with 2 or 3 bee hives.
Will a beekeeper remove bees for free?
It’s fairly common for beekeepers to remove swarms for free. If the bees have been in the same place for more than a week, you can assume the they are established. The longer the bees have been there, the more comb they will have built and the bigger the colony will be.
Does Terminix handle bees?
While these options may remove unwanted bees from your home, the best solution is to call a local beekeeper or a pest control professional. Terminix® Service Technicians are trained to properly remove bees from around your home.