Q: Are bees safe to keep if I don’t live on acreage?
A: Many people who live in subdivisions on a quarter acre (or even less) have bees. There are some considerations though.
First, anyone keeping bees should always be aware if they have any bee venom allergies. If anyone in the home has a bee venom allergy, you should exercise appropriate caution since people in subdivisions will be closer to bees more so than you would on acreage.
Second, I’d recommend that the hive be placed approximately 20 feet from the house. That will give the bees sufficient room to fly around and allow sufficient distance to keep the bees from being overly protective of the hive.
Third, if there are young children at home who may wander over near the hive, it may be better to wait until they can be taught/trusted to not disturb the hive. A sting will instill a really bad experience with bees in their memory. I stepped on a bee when I was in grade school, and I remember it like it was yesterday.
Fourth, dogs can get stung if they get too close to the hive. We have 4 dogs (as well as other livestock), and over the years, they have gotten stung a couple times. But they have the ability to run away from the bees if they get too close to the hive. If you have a small backyard make sure dogs and cats have a means to get away from any bees that become defensive.
Lastly, make sure your HOA allows for bees.