top of page
Image by Nima Motaghian Nejad

Host a 
Honey Bee Hive

Interested in having honeybees in your backyard or at your business in the Fredericksburg or Spotsylvania area, but unsure about the time, cost, or responsibility of beekeeping? You’re not alone.

​

The GeesBees Host a Hive program allows individuals, families, and businesses to experience the benefits of honeybees — without the burden of managing a hive on their own. We handle the bees. You enjoy the rewards.

What Is the Host a Hive Program?

Host a Hive is a professionally managed beehive placement program. GeesBees installs and maintains a healthy honeybee colony on your property while retaining ownership and responsibility for the hive and the bees.
 

This means you can:

  • Support local pollinators

  • Enjoy the presence of honeybees

  • Benefit from improved garden pollination

  • Receive honey from your hosted hive*

  • Learn about bees without the steep learning curve
     

All without needing to become a beekeeper yourself.

DSCN1537.JPG
Image by Sarah Janes

Why Hosting a Hive Makes Sense

Successful beekeeping requires:

  • Specialized knowledge

  • Ongoing education

  • Equipment and supplies

  • Seasonal management

  • Time and financial investment
     

For many people, these requirements act as a barrier — even when the desire to help bees is strong.
 

The Host a Hive program removes that barrier, making it easy to support pollinators while leaving the technical work to experienced beekeepers.
 

FAQ: Do I need any beekeeping experience?

No. Hosting a hive requires no prior knowledge or experience. GeesBees manages all aspects of hive care and maintenance.

Benefits of
Hosting a Beehive

🌼 Improved Pollination

Honeybees dramatically improve pollination for:

  • Vegetable gardens

  • Fruit trees

  • Flowers

  • Landscaping plants
     

Many hosts notice healthier plants and increased yields simply from having bees nearby.
 

🍯 Access to Local Honey

Hosts receive some of the honey harvested from their hive when surplus allows.* If a hive does not produce enough excess honey in a given season, honey from other GeesBees apiary locations can be provided upon request.
 

🐝 Educational & Intrinsic Rewards

Hosting a hive offers a unique opportunity to observe honeybees up close and gain a deeper appreciation for their role in our ecosystem. Many families find it especially rewarding for children.
 

🌱 Environmental Impact

By hosting a hive, you actively support:

  • Pollinator health

  • Local biodiversity

  • Sustainable food systems

  • Bee welfare in your community
     

FAQ: Will the bees sting my family or pets?

Honeybees are generally gentle and focused on foraging. When properly placed and managed, hives pose minimal risk. GeesBees evaluates placement carefully to prioritize safety.

Image by mauro mari
Beekeeper Inspecting Hive

Who Can Host a Hive?
 

Host a Hive is ideal for:

  • Homeowners with suitable yard space

  • Families interested in sustainability

  • Gardeners and homesteaders

  • Farms and orchards

  • Businesses and commercial properties

  • Schools or community spaces (case-by-case)
     

Each property is unique, which is why we offer a free property assessment to determine hive suitability.

How Hive
Placement Works

Before any installation, GeesBees conducts an evaluation of your property to identify:

  • Optimal hive location

  • Safe distance from high-traffic areas

  • Sun exposure and wind protection

  • Accessibility for maintenance

  • Water sources nearby
     

FAQ: How much space is required?

In most cases, a hive requires only a small footprint and thoughtful placement. Many standard residential yards can accommodate a hive safely.

Image by Alexiz Mora
Image by Meggyn Pomerleau

Who Owns the
Hive and Bees?

In the Host a Hive program:

  • GeesBees maintains ownership of the hive and the bees

  • GeesBees is responsible for all care and maintenance

  • Hosts are not liable for hive management tasks
     

If at any point you decide you’d like to transition into full beekeeping ownership, GeesBees is happy to help guide you through that process at your own pace.
 

FAQ: Can I eventually buy my own hive?

Yes. Hosts may choose to transition into hive ownership, and GeesBees offers education, equipment guidance, and ongoing support if desired.

Ongoing Hive Care & Maintenance

GeesBees handles all routine and seasonal tasks, including:

  • Hive inspections

  • Health monitoring

  • Queen assessment

  • Pest and disease management

  • Seasonal adjustments

  • Honey harvesting (when appropriate)
     

This ensures the colony remains healthy, productive, and well-managed throughout the year.
 

Safety & Peace of Mind

Safety is always a priority. During the property assessment, we address:

  • Placement concerns

  • Neighbor proximity

  • Children and pets

  • Local ordinances

  • Any specific safety questions you may have
     

FAQ: Are beehives allowed in residential areas?

Local regulations vary. We help ensure hive placement aligns with local guidelines and best practices.
 

Supporting Bees in Our Community

Hosting a hive is about more than honey — it’s about bee welfare and environmental stewardship. Every healthy hive strengthens pollination networks and contributes to the resilience of our local ecosystem.
 

At GeesBees, our mission is to support bees through education, ethical management, and community-based programs like Host a Hive.
 

Host a Hive in Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Orange and Stafford counties in Virginia.
 

The Host a Hive program is based on availability and site suitability.

Local placement matters because:

  • Bees are adapted to regional forage

  • Native blooms support colony health

  • Pollination benefits stay within the community
     

Getting Started Is Easy

If you’re interested in hosting a hive:

  1. Contact us to schedule a free property assessment

  2. We evaluate hive placement and answer questions

  3. If approved, we install and manage the hive

  4. You enjoy the benefits — stress-free
     

There’s no obligation during the assessment, and we’re happy to answer any questions you may have about safety, honey, or the program itself.
 

A Shared Commitment to Bees

Bees play a vital role in our food system and environment. Hosting a hive is a meaningful way to support pollinators while enjoying the presence of these incredible creatures.
 

Whether you’re a homeowner, gardener, or business owner, Host a Hive offers a simple, responsible way to make a real impact — right in your own space.
 

* Honey availability depends on hive health and seasonal production. When surplus honey is not available from the hosted hive, honey from other GeesBees locations may be provided upon request.
 

bottom of page