Apiary Registration & Inspections

Honey bees are critically important to the agriculture industry, pollinating crops valued at more than $40 million in Maryland alone. The Maryland Department of Agriculture Apiary Program works with both professional and amateur beekeepers to help keep bees and hives healthy and thriving. (Apiaries are sites where bees are kept.)

Beekeeping is a complicated endeavor that requires successful management of myriad factors, from diseases and pests to weather to destructive human activities. Managing these hives is also becoming extremely important since most wild honey bees have died due to parasitic mites. Learn more about beekeeping and pollinator resources.

Colony Registration

To help maintain honey bee health, Maryland law requires everyone who keeps bees to register their colonies with MDA within 30 days of obtaining a honey bee colony and then annually thereafter. There is no fee to register a hive.

Apiary Inspections

Apiary inspectors work with beekeepers to help them maintain healthy colonies. Inspectors visit about two-thirds of Maryland's apiaries (sites where bee colonies are kept) each year and examine colonies for diseases and pests. Beekeepers are advised on how to treat problems found.

Learn about Apiary Inspection Regulations 15.07.01

Request an Inspection

To request an inspection of your honey bee colonies e-mail [email protected]

History of Apiary Registrations in Maryland

Apiary Registrations
Year	Colonies Registered	Events
1978	10,200	Six claims of pesticide damage to 96 colonies
1979	11,500	Two varroa mite specimens reported in Prince George's County
1983	13,200	Severe winter loss reported
1984/85	14,100	First bee inspection dog trained & deployed in MD
1989	13,000	Honey bee tracheal mite found in 50% of colonies sampled
1990	13,200	Varroa mite infestation, 94 sites in three counties, quarantined and treated
1996	7,900	50% of colonies lost due to severe winter and mites
1995	9,000	Varroa mite and honey bee tracheal mite found statewide
1998	8,800	First Apistan®-resistant varroa mites found in Maryland
1999	9,800	MDA received first Section 18 emergency exemption for Varroa mite control product
2001	8,200	Small hive beetle first detected in MD; honey bees becoming resistant to honey bee tracheal mite; 50% colony loss due to severe winter
2008	9,900	Small hive beetle detected in 19 counties
2011/12	11,900	MDA participates in National Honey Bee Survey; honey bee tracheal mite no longer considered a threat if properly monitored
2012	14,000	Small hive beetle detected in all 23 counties with reports of larval damage in established colonies

Source: MDA Annual Reports 1977-2015

Apiary Registration & Inspections

Colony Registration