Why We No Longer Install Beehives in Backyards.
- Pete Rizzo
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
The Rise of Backyard Beekeeping in Las Vegas.
Over the years, Pete and I have had several situations just like the one we faced yesterday.
A family decides to keep a hive in their yard, and in the beginning, it feels like a great idea. They love the idea of fresh honey and are fascinated by the activity of the bees.
But as time goes on, the same pattern repeats itself. The hive grows larger, it becomes harder to manage, and when honey harvest season arrives, the bees shift from calm to defensive.
When Honey Bees Turn Defensive
That’s exactly what happened with this last hive. For nearly three years, the colony was fine as long as no one opened the hive. The bees minded their own business, pollinated the neighborhood, and never bothered anyone.
The trouble comes during honey harvest. Every year, as soon as the top was opened and frames were pulled, the colony became defensive. This year, things escalated. The husband was stung five times in just minutes. That was the breaking point, and the family called us to remove the bees completely.
Why Backyard Hives Can Become a Problem
After seeing this scenario more than once, Pete and I had to ask ourselves what was best for both the bees and the homeowners. Installing backyard beehives may sound fun, but the reality is more complicated.
Defensive genetics: Some colonies simply have defensive traits that show up during harvest.
Management challenges: A hive in a yard may have to be honey harvested twice a year.
Safety concerns: Families aren’t always prepared for stings or swarming behavior.
Bees are living creatures, and their instincts drive them to defend their hive, especially when honey stores are at risk. That’s a natural behavior, but it can clash with people who only want the sweet reward of honey without the challenges of hive management.
Our New Policy on Hive Installations
From here on out, we’ve decided not to install beehives in people’s yards. If we remove a hive and the homeowners want to keep the bees, we’ll have to say no.
It’s not an easy decision, because we love connecting people with honey bees, but it’s the right one. Backyard hives require more responsibility and tolerance than many families expect.
Our focus now is on what we do best:
Safe, live bee removals
Relocating colonies to better environments
Protecting homeowners while preserving the bees
The Bottom Line
Our mission has always been to save the bees while keeping people safe. By no longer installing backyard beehives, we’re able to stay true to that mission.
Families won’t find themselves overwhelmed by defensive colonies, and bees will be relocated to places where their natural instincts don’t create conflicts.
FAQ: Backyard Beehives and Defensive Behavior
Why do bees get defensive during honey harvest? Bees view their honey as food security for the colony. When the hive is opened and frames are pulled, they instinctively defend their stores.
Are defensive bees dangerous to have in the yard? Most of the year, defensive bees are not a problem as long as the hive is undisturbed. The issue arises when honey is harvested, which can trigger multiple stings and stressful situations for homeowners.
Can defensive behavior be fixed by requeening? Yes, sometimes replacing the queen with one from gentler stock reduces defensive behavior. But for many homeowners, ongoing hive management is more responsibility than they want.
What should I do if I have a defensive hive in my yard? Contact a professional live bee removal service like Vegas Bees. We can relocate the colony to a safe environment where their defensive instincts won’t create conflicts with people.
Betsy & Pete
🐝Las Vegas’s All-Natural Live Bee Removal Team
About Us: The Authors
We’re Betsy and Pete - Beekeepers on a Mission in Las Vegas
We’re not just in the bee business, we’re in the bee-saving business. Trained by a master beekeeper and backed by hundreds of successful removals, we are dedicated to rescuing and relocating honey bees with care and precision.
Every swarm we save and every hive we manage reflects our deep love for the bees.
At our Joshua Tree Preserve in Arizona, we care for dozens of thriving hives. Some wild, some honey-bearing, and all are part of our commitment to ethical, sustainable beekeeping.
Why Vegas Bees? Because We Never Stop Learning or Caring
Beekeeping is always evolving, and so are we. We stay on the cutting edge by continuing our education, connecting with fellow beekeepers, and refining our beekeeping practices and techniques to ensure the best outcomes for both bees and people.
Whether it’s advanced bee removal strategies or the latest natural methods, we’re always one step ahead.
We’re also proud to support the beekeeping community with high-quality beekeeping supplies for everyone. If you’re ready to suit up and start your journey, we’ve got what you need.
