Services
Swarm Relocation
Swarms are the natural form of reproduction for honey bees and in our climate are most common from March-June. If you see a cluster of honey bees on a tree limb, fence post, etc. do not panic, and DO NOT SPRAY THE BEES with water or poison as this will harm them. Once they settle, swarms are generally docile and not to be feared. Honey bees are much easier to relocate when in this cluster. If not collected and relocated, the bees often move into buildings and it becomes a much more invasive and expensive job to remove them.
Mentorship
There is a “beekeeping renaissance” happening right now, and it is manifesting in many new backyard beekeepers. This is wonderful, but there is a steep learning curve to keeping bees, and new beekeepers can benefit from hands-on guidance as they begin the journey. With a decade of experience managing hives, Santa Cruz Bee Company helps guide new beekeepers through their first year. We help new beekeepers build confidence through monthly or quarterly check-ins, during which we provide personally tailored management techniques, hive health assessments and record keeping.
Honey and More
Do you love honey? Want a local supply of raw honey to help with seasonal allergies? Santa Cruz Bee Co. offers small batch, single origin honeys harvested from apiaries throughout Santa Cruz County. Our honey and other value added hive products like honeycomb, raw propolis and beeswax make great gifts! To buy direct, email santacruzbeeco@gmail.com or DM @santacruzbeeco on Instagram. Also available for special events and pop-up markets.
We currently sell our honey locally at: Art Inspired of Capitola, Bee Happy SC, Davenport Roadhouse Mercantile, Felton Mercantile, Goods 4 Good Market, Hotel Paradox, Little Red Door Collective, Mountain Feed & Farm Supply, Santa Cruz Boutique, Seymore Marine Discovery Center, Wild Banksia Floral.
Site Selection
Set up your apiary for success with a site consultation for your hive placement. The services of site consulting and on-going hive management can be packaged along with mentorship for backyard beekeepers with pre-existing hives who want to be involved at a hands-on level.
Small Group Events
Are you looking for a unique experience for your group? Santa Cruz Bee Co. offers a variety of options from corporate events to field trips or gourmet honey tasting experiences.
We travel to your home, office or other location of choice with a fully contained observation bee hive, beekeeping tools, and products of the hive for your group to explore. Options for hybrid in-person+remote events can be arranged.
Want to take a step further and see a beehive in its natural habitat? Arrange to visit one of our Santa Cruz apiaries and have your own individual or group "hive dive".
Sales of souvenir honey can also be arranged for your event.
Hive Management
Individuals, businesses or farms who want to establish an apiary on their property but are not interested in managing the bees themselves can hire Santa Cruz Bee Company to install hives in their yard, on their roof or on their land and manage them for a monthly fee. This provides all of the benefits of keeping bees with none of the work or heavy lifting involved.
Classes and Workshops
Santa Cruz Bee Co. offers 1-on-1 and small group hive tours at the Homeless Garden Project Farm. We are also available for school assemblies, summer camps, field trips, conference presentations and corporate & community events. We also offer beekeeping classes through the Cabrillo College Extension and UCSC (visit the events tab for registration details).
Remote Consultation
Not in Santa Cruz? Not a problem! During the covid pandemic, Santa Cruz Bee Company began offering remote hive consultation services. You can contact us with your questions and we can arrange phone or video call support. We also provide on-going mentoring services through email or text correspondence. Regular consulting rates apply. Email us for more information or to set up a remote session.