We install a system of 2 or 3 beehives on your property and care for the bees using proven techniques and a regular inspection schedule. We will make sure the bees are healthy and thriving. If we believe the colonies need any treatments or supplemental feeding, it is included.

Statistically, it is no more likely that anyone will get stung if you have hives on your property than not. Most stings that people associate with bees are caused by hornets or wasps (especially Yellow Jackets). The species of honeybee that we will raise on your property (Apis mellifera ligustica) originated in Italy and is the most docile of any bee species. Your chances of being stung are 6,000,000 to 1, as calculated by the Harvard School of Public Health.

We typically start new hives in spring - in Colorado, April and May are prime months and we can install any time after then. It is possible to move established hives until weather turns cold in fall, but there is not always availability at that time, so to be sure you can get your beehives please plan to order early in the year.

In the spring, the honeybee colonies are expanding rapidly and need extra attention. During this time we will visit the hives weekly, as necessary, to monitor growth and health. As summer progresses the hives will need less attention and you can expect a visit every two weeks or so. During winter we may visit the hives monthly on warm days.

We will reach out proactively at least 24 hours in advance of a hive inspection. For hive tours with your employees, we will let you know at least one week in advance so that employees have enough time to sign up. We can have up to 6 people per hive tour. If you want to schedule an event for us to present to your employees, please provide us with at least 2 weeks' notice.

We offer several kinds of experiences, from hive tours to employee presentations to company picnics. Please see our complete description of our Services here.

We ensure that the location of the hives maximizes what our client wishes to gain from hosting beehives. Our programming is best delivered with hives that are ground level, but there may be a reason that the hives are better suited to be on a rooftop at your location.

We do not. Look for a residential beekeeping service in your area or reach out to a local beekeeper for recommendations.

The hives require a space roughly 3' X 8'. We can install the hives at ground level or on a rooftop.

We do everything possible to help the bees thrive and survive winter, however it is still possible for a colony to become exposed to pesticides or diseases that we are not able to compensate for. In these rare cases we fully guarantee the honeybee colonies and will replace them as soon as possible.

We are available 24/7 and have an emergency number to call if you see anything out of the ordinary and feel we should be informed. If anything is wrong we are available to come out at any time.

No, all safety gear will be supplied by Free Range Beehives.

The bees will travel up to 2 miles to find food if necessary but they will certainly take advantage of any nearby forage. You can plant pollinator-friendly flowering plants on your property to make the bees even happier. A consistent source of water is also good - any type of bird bath works well.

Free Range Beehives can help you figure out if your buidling is appropriate for bees. We look at satellite images to determine forage levels, but the most important factor is safety. As long as the hives are located away from direct human traffic, they should be fine. We use Italian honeybees which are known to be very docile, but we still don't want them flying into a high-traffice area. Free Range Beehives offers a free site visit to help you determine if hosting honeybees is right for you!