Honey Bees on State Land

Although honey bees have long been established in Wisconsin, they are not native to the United States. Native bee populations are experiencing declines, some precipitously, and there is evidence that honey bees compete with native bees for resources (nectar and pollen) and can spread parasites and diseases by visiting the same floral sources that affect native bee populations.

• Honey bee hives cannot be placed on state land for these reasons.

Trapping and removal of honey bee swarms

When a honey bee colony outgrows its home, becomes too congested or too large for the queen to control the entire colony, it can divide. The queen leaves the colony with about half of the colony’s bees, and a new replacement queen leads the remaining colony. The departed colony (now called a swarm) will roam until it finds a new home. The department allows the trapping and removing honey bee swarms from state lands.

Traps for feral honey bee swarms may be placed on state land with a written land use agreement from the property manager and a minimal annual fee of $25.

If you have questions on a honey bee trapping land use agreement with the department, contact the local property manager.

More information

Honey bees are classified as livestock and fall under the regulatory authority of the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP). For more information about honey bees in Wisconsin, please visit the DATCP Apiary Program webpage [exit DNR].