Question 1

What should I do before getting started?

Accepted Answer

Before you start, we recommend taking a course, reading about beekeeping, or joining a local beekeeping association for more information. This is very important to get to know bees and understand what taking care of them really means. Our B‑BOX simplifies the process a bit, but you should still know the basics!

There are many courses to choose from, both online (we've made one ourselves) and in your city. Ask your local beekeeping association where you can sign up - it should be fairly easy to find!

Question 2

Is B‑BOX suitable for schools / homes with children or pets?

Accepted Answer

Many of our customers have never kept bees before. The B‑BOX team focused heavily on making the hive as safe as possible - unlike traditional hives, B‑BOX has a special chimney that lets bees enter and exit 2.2 metres above the ground. The whole family can get close and watch the hive in person without disturbing the bees or needing protective clothing. Of course, they're not domesticated animals, so you need to learn their language to understand them and avoid making them feel threatened. Threatening gestures, like suddenly tipping the hive over or similar, could scare the bees and make them defend themselves.

Question 3

Legal restrictions

Accepted Answer

Here's the link to Italy's official gazette: https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2004/12/31/004G0346/sg

Article 8 regulates distances: "Apiaries must be placed no less than ten metres from public roads and no less than five metres from the boundaries of public or private properties. Compliance with the distances in the first paragraph is not mandatory if there is a height difference of at least two metres between the apiary and the places mentioned, or if there are continuous walls, hedges or other barriers suitable to prevent bees from passing through. Such barriers must be at least two metres high. Agreements between the parties concerned remain valid regardless."

The chimney's exit is beyond the required 2 metres; in any case, it's a good idea to check whether your municipality has stricter rules by calling the local veterinary health authority.

Question 4

Where can a B‑BOX be installed?

Accepted Answer

B‑BOX needs very little space - about one square metre - though it's important to check whether your municipality has stricter rules than the national regulation. Ideal spots include a large top-floor terrace or a private garden. B‑BOX needs so little space because it's already a safe place for the bees to live; they'll be the ones flying around the area ("a bee can fly over 5 kilometres") to find flowers and everything else they need.

Question 5

Does B‑BOX come with bees?

Accepted Answer

The B‑BOX Plus package includes the swarm as well as the B‑BOX itself. A beekeeper will bring and install the bees directly at your home. You don't need to worry about finding a swarm yourself - we take care of everything.

Question 6

Do I need experience to use B‑BOX?

Accepted Answer

We always encourage responsible beekeeping, and if you've never kept bees before, we recommend doing some research before your B‑BOX arrives. If you want to manage your new swarm yourself, taking a beekeeping course is really recommended. If you can't take a course, rely on a professional instead: any local beekeeper will do and has the skills needed to look after your bees properly.

Question 7

Do I need a large property to use B‑BOX?

Accepted Answer

B‑BOX is ideal for smaller spaces and urban settings, since it only needs 1 square metre. So even without a big yard, B‑BOX will still work great. Bees have quite a wide range (up to 5 km) when foraging for food, so as long as there are balconies or lush gardens nearby, your bees will be very happy! In any case, always use common sense and check beforehand whether there are any specific restrictions where you plan to install the B‑BOX.

Question 8

Bees in the city?

Accepted Answer

Yes, bees can live in urban settings too! The heavy use of pesticides in intensive farming areas has made beekeeping there almost impractical. In an urban setting, on the other hand, pesticide use is much more limited, and bees can find a comfortable shelter in the city. It's important to find a suitable space - we recommend installing your B‑BOX in a garden or on a rooftop, so as to disturb the bees as little as possible.

Question 9

How much does a swarm cost and where can I find one?

Accepted Answer

Most beekeepers are willing to sell their own swarms. The price varies from region to region and, above all, depending on the time of year you buy it. On average, a swarm on 4-5 frames costs around €100; this price drops in summer and autumn, while it can be slightly higher in spring.

Question 10

What should I do during winter?

Accepted Answer

As winter approaches, you should check the amount of stores to make sure the swarm has enough resources to survive the season. If the stores are low, you can supplement the bees' food using special fondant that can be placed directly on the metal mesh. This way, the bees will collect it while staying inside the nest, without needing to climb up to the honey super. During winter, it's best not to open the hive, or to open it as little as possible: the bees keep the inside of the hive warm through their own movement, and opening it on a very cold day could cause serious problems for the colony.

Question 11

Can I use it without the chimney?

Accepted Answer

The chimney helps comply with certain distance restrictions found in urban areas. If you can place the hive more than 5 metres from a neighbour, or you have a divider (hedge, low wall, etc.) taller than 2 metres, you can install it without the chimney. Using the chimney can slightly reduce the amount of honey produced, since bees need more energy to leave the B‑BOX to forage for flowers.

Question 12

How do I assemble and paint the hive?

Accepted Answer

Before assembling the hive, we suggest applying a coat of NON-TOXIC paint/wood treatment to all the hive's components. Let the pieces dry in the sun for a day or two. Water-based paint usually has the fewest toxins.

For installation, you can find the assembly instructions here: https://youtu.be/I638FTNdbZs

Once you've built the hive, give it a couple of coats of non-toxic, low-VOC paint/wood treatment to protect it from the weather. It doesn't matter which type of paint you use for your B‑BOX - use whatever you'd use for a regular hive. It can be water-based, oil-based, etc. The most important thing is that it's low-VOC or non-toxic, so it doesn't harm the bees.

Question 13

Where should I position the hive?

Accepted Answer

You can position your hive however you prefer. We recommend the "chimney" for sun exposure, but it's best to place the B‑BOX in a partly shaded spot so it doesn't get too hot. Placing it under a roof will also protect it from rain and snow. Since the materials are wood, it's always best to protect it from the weather.

In areas with strong prevailing winds, you can also fix the top of the "chimney" to the bottom part to make it more stable, and add weight to the base of the hive for extra protection.

If your goal is to produce honey, you can remove the chimney to make things easier for the bees. You can still get close to observe the bees, just make sure not to agitate them. Remember to be careful while observing.

Once you've introduced the bees, you shouldn't move your hive. If you want to change the direction of the "chimney", do it very carefully so the bees can understand where the new entrance is. This is because bees are very sensitive about their location - their internal GPS is very precise, so even a slight movement of the hive will affect them.

Frequently asked questions

Before you start

Installation and placement

The bees

Safety and regulations