The NYC Beekeeper

I'm Nick Hoefly, an urban beekeeper in NYC.

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

Even a one-acre rooftop farm isn’t enough to feed 6 beehives.
Bees fly up to 2 miles to forage nectar from trees, parks, and sidewalk flowers all across NYC.
Urban bees get around. 🐝
#Beekeeping #UrbanAg #Pollinators #NYCBees

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

Three kinds of bees in every hive...
One works nonstop, one "rules" the hive, and one’s just there to mate 👀
Guess which is which?
#beekeeping #honeybees #queenhoneybee #dronebee #workerbee

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

There are thousands of beehives across the five boroughs. NYC legalized beekeeping in 2010—and now it’s everywhere.
Urban bees are just part of life here. 🐝
#NYCBees #UrbanBeekeeping #SkyFarmNYC

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

Beekeeping is more than honey. It’s managing pests, protecting queens, and keeping colonies thriving. Here's what it really takes. 🐝

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

Cloudy or grainy honey? Don’t throw it out. That’s crystallization — a good sign your honey is raw and real. 🍯
Here’s why it happens and how to fix it (if you want to).
🎥👇
#RawHoney #Beekeeping #FoodFacts #HoneyTips #NYCBeekeeper

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

Why are my bees dancing on the front of the hive? 🐝
It’s called washboarding. They move in sync, polish the surface with their mouthparts… and no one really knows why.
#beekeeping #bees #honeybees #weirdscience #nycbeekeeper

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

All my bees are outside the hive. What’s going on? 🐝
It’s called bearding, a natural behavior bees use to keep cool, protect the brood, and make honey. No panic, just AC.
#beekeeping #bees #summer #honeybees #NYC

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

Bees vote?! 🐝 Here’s how honeybee democracy works — and why the queen isn’t actually in charge. #bees #beekeeping #funfact #honeybees #naturetok #nycbeekeeper

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

Happy Urban Beekeeping Day! A little blog post to celebrate.

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

@heidiskrzypek Nice!

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

Looking for good beekeeping equipment suppliers near you? Check out my list of The Best Beekeeping Suppliers Across North America https://t.co/VQ35bserAZ

Is your favorite on my list? If not, let me know.

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

New on the blog: Beekeeper’s Calendar Series: What To Do In February #nycbeekeeper #beekeeper #beekeeping
https://t.co/WI2dgQV4kv

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

Hello Friends! Appreciate your support in keeping the bees buzzing and my website going. Any donation helps. Thank you for considering giving back! #nycbeekeeper #urbanbeekeeping https://t.co/qij56nRGfR

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

If you find some value in my posts, website, etc... you can show your support on my Patreon page. Thx! https://t.co/NFyrovu8bn

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

It's cold, but don't worry! Bees cluster in the hive, staying warm & conserving energy.⁠ The bees on the inside vibrate their flight muscles to produce heat while the bees on the outside act as a winter coat. The queen stays warm in the middle of the cluster all winter long.

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

New on the blog... How to Help Bees Without Becoming a Beekeeper: 10 Simple Ideas https://t.co/jF0Xuu7GgY

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

Introducing a new event. Join me monthly for ‘Ask A Beekeeper’. I will be taking questions and discussing timely topics as we get through the 2023 Bee Season.

Watch live on my Facebook Page or sign up and join the discussion live, every 3rd Thursday.

https://t.co/SB9rHrlEea

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

January is a great time to plan your beekeeping setup for the coming spring. Make sure your hive equipment is in good order & your gear is ready. If your hive is dead or is too weak, get your bee order in asap. More recs at https://t.co/6LqAWx9ln4 #urbanbeekeeping #nycbeekeeper

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

New on the blog... "The Simple Guide To Lighting Your Bee Smoker" https://t.co/cW6Lh0x98a

[The NYC Beekeeper @nycbeekeeper]

Happy New Year from the NYC Beekeeper! As we kick off a new year remember the importance of bees in our ecosystem. Did you know that bees are responsible for pollinating about a third of the food we eat?