Professional beekeeping,
done for you.
A locally raised colony of docile honey bees, hand-crafted NC woodenware, and a beekeeper who knows your yard by name — across the Triangle and Charlotte.
Why host a hive?
Four good reasons we hear from hosts again and again — though the real ones tend to show up around the second inspection, when the bees stop being strangers.
Raw Local Honey
Pure, unprocessed honey extracted and bottled only from your hive.
Supercharge Your Garden
Your bees pollinate everything within a five-mile radius.
Completely Turnkey
We handle every box, frame, and inspection — you just enjoy the hive.
Learn From Experts
Every visit is a hands-on education in the rhythm of the colony.
Find your perfect plan
Two host plans named after the bees themselves — pick the role you'd like to play in the hive. The setup fee covers your locally crafted woodenware and starter colony, billed in your first year only.
— the —Worker
- Locally raised colonyof docile, NC-bred honey bees
- All medication & feedincluded — no surprise invoices
- Replacement colonies or queensif ever needed
- Hand-crafted NC woodenwarebuilt locally, not flat-packed
- Raw honey from your hiveextracted & bottled (variable production)
- Monthly colony updatesphotos & field notes after every visit
- Two suit-up visits a yearjoin us in the bee yard
- Fair wages for our beekeepersbuilt into every plan
— the —Queen Bee
- Everything in Workerplus the perks below
- Annual honey guaranteeminimum 1.5 gallons, bottled and yours
- Suit up anytimejoin our team during any scheduled visit
- Priority schedulingfirst picks during installation & harvest
- Unlimited inspectionsrequest a check-in whenever you like
— for —Schools & Orgs
- Multi-hive installations1–10 hives sized to your property
- Custom-labeled honeyyour name on every jar
- Team engagement eventsquarterly workshops & suit-up days
- Educational programmingtailored for K–12, university & corporate audiences
- Sustainability reportingnumbers you can put in the annual report
Billed monthly, quarterly, or annually — honest pricing, no surprises.
Choose your hive style
Pick the woodenware you want in your yard. Your choice updates the setup fee in the plans above — either way, every box is built locally and the bees are the same.
Three steps from curious to hosting
Property Assessment
We come to you and find the perfect spot for your hive — no guesswork on your end.
Pick Your Plan & Style
Choose a plan and a hive style that fits your space, your budget, and your goals.
We Handle Everything Else
Delivery, installation, bees, and ongoing professional care — all season long.
Is it safe to have a hive in my backyard?
We work with a species of honey bee known for being extremely docile. Many of our hosts are shocked when they see how gentle bees are during our Host-a-Hive visits. Remember — bees die when they sting, so they generally only do so as a last resort when they feel threatened. We do everything we can to ensure a safe, fun experience: never swat at bees, keep a safe distance, and avoid machinery like lawnmowers too close to the hive.
How much space do I need?
Not much at all. Ideally, a backyard hive should have at least 5 feet of space in front of its entrance — think of this as a runway where bees fly in and out without obstructions. The back of the hive needs about 3 to 5 feet for the beekeeper to work comfortably.
Where do your bees come from?
Our goal is to raise resilient bees adapted to our local environment. We avoid importing bees from out of state — instead, we split our healthiest colonies and propagate their genetics. Prior to being installed in backyards, our bees pollinate crops at Inter-Faith Food Shuttle Farm in Raleigh. We also raise our own queens and purchase all of our woodenware locally.
I have children and/or pets — is it safe?
Yes. As long as good beekeeping practices are followed, it's perfectly safe to host a hive with children and pets. Hive placement matters — we won't put it directly next to a dog kennel or children's play structures. During installation, we'll show everyone how to move safely around bees. Bees only sting in self-defense, so bee kind and you'll be just fine. We'll also provide gear if you or your kids want to get up close and hands-on.
What if I don't have a garden?
No worries — honey bees will forage up to three miles from their hive. That said, many of our hosts become avid gardeners after joining. We're happy to share resources if you're interested in planting more food for your bees.
Can I watch when my hive is being worked on?
Absolutely. We started Buddha Bee Apiary to share our love of honey bees with others. During every visit, our beekeepers are there to care for the colony and educate anyone interested in the hive's inner workings.
What's the honey difference between Worker and Queen Bee?
Both plans include raw honey extracted and bottled from your hive — but the amount depends on your colony's health, the season, and local forage conditions. Worker includes honey as it's produced with no guaranteed minimum, and two chances per year to suit up. Queen Bee adds a guaranteed minimum of 1.5 gallons annually, plus the freedom to join our pro beekeepers during any visit — as often as you like — to get hands-on and keep learning.
I have more questions!
Great — we'd love to answer them. Submit a request for a property assessment; there's no obligation, and we'd be happy to walk through anything you have on your mind. For the quickest reply, text your beekeeper.
Let's find the perfect spot for your colony.
One free property assessment, no obligation. We'll show you where the bees would thrive and answer every question your neighbors will eventually ask.