It’s kind of chic to start your own colony. Bees are vital to our agriculture and way of life — they pollinate a third of the food we eat and 80% of the world’s flowering plants. So, yes, there’s a lot to love about these busy little buzzers.

Thanks to its relatively low investment + maintenance requirements, environmental benefits, and potential for honey production, beekeeping is becoming an increasingly popular hobby. Here’s everything you need to know about starting your own colony.

What are the rules around beekeeping in Charleston?

Neither South Carolina nor the City of Charleston has designated rules limiting who can keep honey bees or how many colonies they can keep. There is also no mandatory hive registry. Beekeepers can voluntarily register their hives to help protect them from pesticide exposure.

That said, there are nuisance regulations to keep in mind. Hives cannot become a public nuisance, and Charleston’s Livability and Code Enforcement can step in if bee activity creates an “annoyance, detriment, or inconvenience” or interferes with neighbors’ ability to safely enjoy their yards.

There are also state rules for the movement of honey bees and used hive equipment across state lines, as well as regulations governing the sale of honey and other honey products.

How much time does beekeeping take?

While keeping a couple of healthy hives requires relatively little time overall, it still demands regular attention. Depending on the season and the condition of your hives, expect to dedicate around 1 to 2 hours every week or two from early spring through fall, with very little maintenance needed in winter. During active periods, you will occasionally need to spend extra time on routine care, including feeding, pest control, equipment maintenance, and harvesting honey.

How do I get started?

Clemson offers a wealth of educational resources on starting and maintaining bee colonies. You can also join the South Carolina and Charleston Area Beekeepers Association.
Prefer to support the bees from a distance? You can get products from Edisto Gold Honey.

Have other tips or tricks for beekeeping that we missed? Please give us a buzz.