Beekeeping 101

So you want to start keeping bees? Where does a newbee or hobbyist place their bee hives? The back yard is the most obvious choice, but there are many factors, including municpal ordinances and relations with the neighbors. Urban beekeeping is on the rise and roof top apiaries are becoming popular. Still, there are several factors that limit and define the most successful apiary site selection. Grant Gillard, a beekeeper since 1981, keeps 200 hives in southeast Missouri on over 30 locations, sometimes called "out yards." In this manuscript, Grant details what makes for the ideal location for the bees, plus cites a number of other criteria helpful to the beekeeper. Just like in real estate, the admonition of "location, location, location," rings true for the honey bee and honey production.