Estate Hives

How it Works

Love bees, honey, and helping pollinators—but not ready to be a beekeeper?

Our full-service honeybee colony hosting brings our thriving, expert-managed hives directly to your Ashokan Reservoir area property—perfect for homes and weekend retreats in Olive, Woodstock, West Hurley, Shokan, Boiceville, and surrounding towns.

You’ll get local honey, boost your garden, and support a healthy environment—without any hassle.

What’s Included?

• Professional installation and setup of all hives and equipment

• Live honeybee colonies, all treatments and feeding as needed

• Bear-deterrent electric fence and motion alarm 

• Routine professional care, inspections, and management (we do ALL the work!)

• All surplus honey—delivered in bulk at harvest

• Optional: Participate in hive inspections/learning

• Bottling, custom jars and labels: available (extra charge)

Pricing

$2500 a hive per year

All-inclusive (setup, care, equipment, bees, honey harvest)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hives can I have?

We require a minimum of two hives per location, but you may choose to have up to ten.

How soon can I get hives?

Beehives can typically be installed within two weeks of your order, between March and August.

Will the leased beehives be an eyesore in my yard or neighborhood?

Not at all! Our hives are made from 100% USA Eastern White Pine and are treated using a traditional wax-dipping process. This method involves boiling the wood in hot wax, which forces out moisture and allows the wax to deeply penetrate the wood fibers. The result is a hive that will not rot or deteriorate, lasting 20 years or more—all without any maintenance. Wax-dipped hives cannot be painted, but the process preserves the beautiful, natural appearance of the wood, which develops a rich patina over time with sun exposure. Each hive features a custom top cover with a peaked roof line and a signature skep-shaped vent, providing an elegant and distinctive look. These thoughtful details ensure that your hives blend seamlessly and attractively into the landscape, never becoming an eyesore.

How much honey will I receive?

Honey production varies from year to year depending on weather and available forage. Our top priority is to ensure the bees have enough honey stored for their own winter survival. Any surplus honey produced by your hives will be delivered to you in bulk after harvest. Please note that specific quantities cannot be guaranteed.

What if I need to end the contract early?

If you need to end your contract mid-year, your colonies and equipment will remain on-site until the following spring, when they can be safely removed.

Is it safe for families and pets?

We take every precaution to minimize risk, but bees can sting and may not be suitable for those with severe allergies. We recommend that children and pets are supervised around beehives at all times.

What if my bees die?

Winter honeybee colony losses are a normal part of beekeeping, despite our best efforts to prepare healthy colonies for the cold season. Our overwintering success rate is much higher than the national average, but if your hive does die, we will supply a replacement colony in the spring at no extra charge. Your yearly fee is all-inclusive, so you can be confident you will always have bees.

Contact/Reserve Your Hives

Ready to bring bees and honey to your country home? Contact Us or

Email: [email protected]