Bees and Apiaries

The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), Insect Prevention and Management (IPPM) program, is deeply committed to protecting and promoting pollinator communities vital to the state’s agricultural and natural landscapes. The IPPM program has become increasingly involved in pollinator related activities:

• Responsible for the state’s apiary registration program and completing the APHIS National Honey Bee Survey
• Involved with research projects focused on native bees including the native bee pollinators of Oregon specialty crops
• Created the Common Bee Pollinators of Oregon Crops guide

Apiary registration

Every person who owns, or is in charge of, five or more colonies of bees located within the state or Oregon, must register their hives with the Oregon Department of Agriculture. If you currently own less than five hives you are not required to register your bees at this time.

• Apiary registration application
• Apiary registration frequently asked questions

More info from ODA

• APHIS National Honey Bee Survey
• Apiary registration application and payment
• Apiary Registration FAQs
  Frequently asked questions on apiary registration
• Oregon State Beekeepers Association Website
• Oregon State University honey bee labZ
• USDA Survey of Honey Bee Pests and Diseases
• Information on USDA-ARS bee labs
• Xerces Society for invertebrate conservation

Bee identification and protection

• Bumble Bees of the Western United Statesv Identification Guide
• Common Bee Pollinators of Oregon Crops
  This guide is designed to help identify the most common groups of bees in Oregon crops. Includes print instructions.
• Honey bee swarms and swarm removal
  Oregon State Beekeepers Association
• How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides
  Guidelines for preventing bee poisoning
• Guide to Nurturing Mason Bees in Your Backyard
• Sam Droege’s Handy Bee manual
  How to catch, identify, and manage bees guide and resources
• The Biology and External Morphology of bees
  Synopsis of the Genera of Northwestern America