> Subject:      Beekeeping in populated areas?
 
You shouldn't have a problem.  You can check with your
town/city planning and ordenance department but don't be
surprized if they have no regulations.  The Long Island
Beekeepers club put a good neighbor policy together many
years ago when a problem arose.  Most Towns on the island
have accepted it as a 'guide' and did not enact any
regulation.  Unfortunately, some towns do have regulations
banning all beekeeping (no regulations against culturing
yellow jackets though).  There was an article a few years
back in American Bee Journal discussing this subject and I
found it interesting that their 'Good Neighbor Policy' was
the same as LIBK but did not reference us as the source.
 
I'll try to remember to bring in a copy of our good
neighbor policy and send it around.  It really just sets down
good beekeeping practices to avoid trouble with the neighbors.
 
I've found that the best defense is a good offense.  I invite
the neighbors to visit the bee yard with me and learn about
the bees.  Once they see how docile they can be and how
interesting they are, they are my most strong defenders.
The kids are the most interested and they drag their parents
(the condition for admittance the first time).  Then the
word spreads by the kid grapevine.
 
 
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+    Raymond J. Lackey                                     +
+    Beekeeper 10 years with 25 colonies on Long Island    +
+    INTERNET: [log in to unmask]                 +
+    Mail: 1260 Walnut Avenue, Bohemia NY 11617            +
+    Home Phone: 516-567-1936  FAX: 516-262-8053           +
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