I have successfully kept bees in the small suburban gardens of the two previous houses that I lived in (in California) without annoying the neighbors. It all depends on how the neighbors feel about bees, if they know you have them, and your skill at keeping the bees in a way that prevents any annoyance. However, I have had problems keeping bees at work because of complaints from colleagues even though I worked at a university studying bees and my colleagues were scientists. Based upon these experiences I have concluded that one person who does not like bees for any reason and has the least objection (risk of stinging; yellow faeces on their car or building) will be able to prevent you from keeping bees. The best chance with your neighbors is to explain to them that you would like to keep bees, will keep them in a special "neighbor friendly" and safe way, but will remove them if they cause any problem. In this way they may give you the benefit of the doubt initially. To minimize, and hopefully eliminate, any problems with the bees follow the following guideines: keep only very gentle bees; don't let them swarm; don't keep too many hives; inspect them only when weather conditions are good; don't allow robbing to occur; surround the apiary with a tall lattice fence or hedge so that the bees fly at 8ft or more above ground when passing over gardens; if the bees start collecting water from taps, pools, hoses etc. give them a feeder of water inside the hive. One problem that you cannot avoid is the yellow faeces which will rain down on all around. This is paricularly a problem in arid areas without frequent rain to wash things clean. If you are a new beekeeper I suggest that you do not keep bees at home for at least a few years so that you can gain more experience managing colonies. It may be possible to get on the neighbor's good side by explaining that bees provide ollination and by giving out jars of honey. If you want to keep bees at home very much and plan on staying at that house for a long time then you should move very slowly, taking all precautions and assuaging the neighbors fears before you begin. You will have the highest chance of being successful if the gardens are rather large and have tall hedges or fences along the borders. Dr. Francis L. W. Ratnieks Department of Animal & Plant Sciences University of Sheffield Sheffield S10 2TN, U.K. tel: 0114 282 4316 fax: 0114 276 0159 e-mail: [log in to unmask]