Apiary

An apiary (also known as a bee yard) is a location where beehives of honey bees are kept. Apiaries come in many sizes and can be rural or urban depending on the honey production operation. Furthermore, an apiary may refer to a hobbyist's hives or those used for commercial or educational usage. It can also be a wall-less, roofed structure, similar to a gazebo which houses hives. An apiary (also known as a bee yard) is a location where beehives of honey bees are kept. Apiaries come in many sizes and can be rural or urban depending on the honey production operation. Furthermore, an apiary may refer to a hobbyist's hives or those used for commercial or educational usage. It can also be a wall-less, roofed structure, similar to a gazebo which houses hives. Apiaries have been found in ancient Egypt prior to 2422 BCE where hives were constructed from moulded mud. Throughout history apiaries and bees have been kept for honey and pollination purposes all across the globe. Due to the definition of apiary as a location where hives are kept its history can be traced as far back as that of beekeeping itself. For more information on the history of beekeeping see the history and origins portions of the beekeeping article. First known usage of the word was in 1654. The base of the word comes from the Latin word 'apis' meaning 'bee', leading to 'apiarium' or 'beehouse' and eventually 'apiary' Beekeepers may rarely be referred to as 'apiarists' or 'ones who tend apiaries.' By definition an apiary is a location where beehives are kept; however, structure may vary by location and needs of the individual operation. Many types of hives exist and make up apiaries; for more information on specific hive structures see the beekeeping and beehive articles. In cases of urban beekeeping hives are often located on high ground which requires less space than hives located at lesser altitudes. To direct the bees' path of flight in populous urban areas, concentrated bee populations could pose an issue. Beekeepers often construct tall fences to direct the bees' flight higher and widen their search for food. Apiaries are usually situated on high ground in order to avoid moisture collection, though within proximity of a consistent water source—whether natural or man-made—to ensure the bees' access. Additionally, ample nectar supplies for the bees as well as relatively large amounts of sun are considered. They are often situated close to orchards, farms, and public gardens, which require frequent pollination to develop a positive feedback loop between the bees and their food sources. This also economizes on the bees' pollination and the plants' supply of nectar. An apiary may have hive management objectives other than honey production, including queen rearing and mating. In the northern hemisphere, east and south facing locations with full morning sun are preferred. In hot climates, shade is needed and may have to be artificially provided if trees are not present. Other factors include air and water drainage and accessibility by truck, distance from phobic people, and protection from vandalism. In the USA there are beekeepers — from hobbyists to commercial — in every state. The most lucrative areas for American honey production are Florida, Texas, California, and the Upper Midwest. For paid pollination, the main areas are California, the Pacific Northwest, the Great Lakes States, and the Northeast. Rules and regulations by local ordinances and zoning laws also affect apiaries. In recent years US honey production has dropped and the states import 16% of the world's honey. Internationally, the largest honey producing exporters are China, Germany, and Mexico. As in the United States the location of apiaries varies internationally depending on available resources and the operational need. For more information on nation-specific beekeeping see their respective articles, such as the Beekeeping in Nepal article.