We work with a species of honeybee 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 during our visits — including reminding you and your guests to never swat at bees, keep a safe distance, and avoid using machinery such as lawnmowers too close to the hive.

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 can fly in and out without obstructions. The back of the hive should have about 3 to 5 feet of space for the beekeeper to work comfortably.

Yes — if your neighborhood has a homeowners association, it's a smart first step to check whether they allow beekeeping. Most HOAs in the Triangle and Charlotte are bee-friendly (North Carolina is officially the "Pollinator State," after all), but rules and setback requirements vary from community to community. If your HOA has questions or concerns, we're happy to help — just put us in touch and we'll walk them through how our service works, our safety practices, and how a hive fits into your yard. We've answered plenty of HOA questions over the years, and most boards are reassured once they hear from us directly.

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.

Yes! As long as good beekeeping practices are followed, it is perfectly safe to host a hive with children and pets. Hive placement is an important factor — 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. Generally, bees only sting in self-defense, so bee kind and you'll be just fine. We'll also provide beekeeping gear if you or your kids want to get up close and hands-on.

No worries! Honey bees will forage up to 3 miles away from their hive. That said, many of our hosts become avid gardeners after joining — we'd be happy to share resources if you're interested in planting more food for your bees.

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.

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. The Worker plan includes honey as it's produced with no guaranteed minimum, and 2 chances per year to suit up with our team. The Queen Bee plan 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.

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.