FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions/Answers

How do I register as a beekeeper?

Anyone who buys honeybees or has beekeeping equipment is required under the Bees Act to register with the Provincial Apiarist.

OMAFRA REGISTRATION FORM

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How do I obtain a copy of the Bees Act?

For a copy of the The Ontarios Bees Act click here:  THE BEES ACT

Here is a list of what you will find;
Definitions
Bees in hive are private property
Right of owner to pursue and recover swarm
Appointment of officials
Treatment or destruction of infected bees or beekeeping equipment
Bees in hive without movable frames
Appeal
Information as to the location of beekeeping equipment to be given inspector
Concealing existence of disease
Duty of beekeeper to report disease
Quarantine of bees
Permit required for sale or removal of bees
Receiving or transporting pest prohibited
Exposing infected comb or honey
Disposal of dead colonies of bees, etc.
Honey prohibited as food for bees
Bees obtained outside Ontario
Spraying of fruit trees
Location of hives
Transporting of used containers
Certificate of registration
Beeswax refuse and used honeycombs
Records and returns
Offence
Regulations

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Who do I call to get my bees inspected?

Apiary inspection is a service provided by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture. Beekeepers are required to get a permit to sell bees or beekeeping equipment. A permit is also required to establish a new apiary site. Click on this link for a List of Apiary Inspectors and their counties.  

APIARY INSPECTORS

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Where can I get honeybees for pollination?

Many Ontario beekeepers are prepared to move bees to orchards or other crops that are dependent on insect pollination to insure good yields and high quality product.

Ontario Pollination Association Members

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Where can I buy bees?

The Ontario Bee Breeders' Association is a group of beekeepers who have either queens (Q), queen cells (QC) or nucs (N) for lsale.  There are two lists of members:  

1 - those that have been involved in the Ontario Mite and Disease Resistant Honey Bee Breeding Program that actively select, annually test and breed for healthy, viral stock.  

2 - those that provide bee stock but are not directly involved in an outside organized breeding program.

Many will sell directly to beekeepers; whereas some sell to the beekeeper supply companies only. Most producers only supply bees in the spring and early summer.
Producers are only permitted to use stock from locations free of AFB.

Queen and nuc producers are required to obtain permits from apiary inspectors. These permits are valid until the end of June in the following season. A small sticker with the permit number must accompany each shipment.

Some of the Bee Suppliers also supply bees. Clients need to order bees in advance. 

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Where can I purchase beekeeping supplies?

Click on this link for Beekeeping Suppliers

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Where can I get information on the Bear Damage Compensation Program?

The Damage to Honey Bee Colonies by Bears Compensation Program was established under the Livestock Poultry and Honey Bee Protection Act (Part II). This program which is administered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, provides assistance to honey bee producers who suffer bear damage.

The Bear Wise Program of the Ministry of Natural Resources has lots of information and some specifics for beekeepers under Technical Notes on their home page.