Have you ever thought about what it might be like to host a honey bee hive in your backyard? At Buddha Bee Apiary, we’ve seen first hand how bringing bees into local communities and spaces can transform not just a backyard garden, but the hive hosts’ whole outlook on the natural world. Hosting bees isn’t only about honey (though that’s certainly a sweet bonus!)—it’s about supporting local ecosystems, learning, and finding joy in the simple presence of these incredible creatures. Every now and again, we like to spend some time reflecting on what we do and why we do it. Read on to learn about the benefits of hosting a hive with us.

1. Support Local Ecology and Pollination

Every time your bees head out of their hive, they’re doing important work that benefits your whole community. Did you know about 80% of flowering plants rely on pollinators to reproduce? By hosting, you’re helping wildflowers, backyard gardens, and even small farms within a five-mile radius thrive. We’ve had hosts tell us their backyard and community gardens have increased yields after their hive is installed—and the truth is, it’s not just their plants, it’s everyone’s. Your yard becomes part of a bigger network of growth and support for the surrounding ecosystem.

While we care for and manage honey bees, we also love highlighting the many native pollinators that share our landscapes. If you’d like to dive deeper, explore our past blogs where we cover a wide range of pollinator-related topics: Solitary Bees, Beekeepers Advocate for Native Pollinators, and Our Impact on Native Pollinators.

2. Learn About Honey bees from Experts

When you host a hive with Buddha Bee, you’re never left to navigate beekeeping alone—we handle all the management for you. But that doesn’t mean you’re left out! We schedule inspections a week in advance so you’ll always know when we’re coming. Hosts are encouraged to join us during these visits—whether simply watching or suiting up to get hands-on with the bees.

Each inspection is a window into colony life: spotting the queen, watching the hive prepare for winter, or learning why mite management matters. Along the way, we share our knowledge of bee biology, behavior, and seasonal rhythms. Many hosts tell us these visits become highlights of their month, with each experience deepening their connection and understanding as they discover something new inside their hive.

3. Increase Your Sense of Well-Being

There’s something deeply calming about sitting beside a hive and listening to its steady hum. Watching foragers zip in and out, or noticing how they interact at the entrance, feels both grounding and mesmerizing. Many of our hosts tell us they often pull up a chair with a book or a cup of coffee, simply to spend time watching the bees. A hive has its own energy—one that’s hard to put into words but easy to feel. And if you’ve never breathed in the sweet, warm scent of a honey bee colony, it’s an experience worth adding to your bucket list. Hosting bees isn’t just good for the planet—it’s nourishment for the soul.

4. Enjoy Local, Raw Honey from Your Backyard

There’s nothing quite like tasting honey that your bees made. When we harvest for hosts, we do it individually—so the honey you get is yours alone, flavored by the blooms in your area. Some batches taste light and floral, others rich and bold, depending on the season and what the bees have within three miles to forage. Our hosts often say it’s impossible to go back to store-bought jars once they’ve had honey straight from their own hive. It’s a sweet reward that feels deeply personal, like bottling up a little piece of your backyard.

5. Be a Part of Annual Buddha Bee Events

In addition to our Host-a-Hive program, we love bringing people together at community events throughout the year. This past season included a honey extraction party, several hands-on hive tours, and plenty of tabling events across the Triangle. Hive hosts and neighbors alike joined in—whether that meant getting sticky during extraction, helping design a new art-installation hive, or suiting up to step inside a colony for a truly hands-on experience. We jump at any opportunity to reach a little farther into our community!

6. Help us Make an Impact

Our work begins with education and advocacy. At Buddha Bee, we’re building a community of passionate environmental stewards who support pollinators—one hive at a time. Through our Host-a-Hive program, we provide both education and hands-on experience, one of the most impactful ways to advocate for our local honey bees. Our hives live not only in backyards but also at schools, community gardens, and local businesses throughout the Triangle and beyond. We love sharing bees wherever we’re invited—whether that’s a classroom, an office, or a community gathering. If you want to schedule a speaking event, check out our Book a Beekeeper page.

Most of all, we’re deeply grateful to our hive hosts. You’ve stood by us through the growth and challenges, offering encouragement, kindness, and love. We couldn’t do it without you!

Bees in Your Backyard: Benefits of Hosting a Hive