Bee Inspection
Without a healthy honey bee population, successful fruit and vegetable production would be at risk. New Jersey's 10,000 bee colonies, valued at $250 per colony, represent a $2.5 million honey bee industry for the state and contribute to successful production of nearly $200 million worth of fruits and vegetables annually. The New Jersey Department of Agriculture's Division of Plant Industry protects the pollination needs of the fruit and vegetable industry by ensuring that the honey bee population, both native and migratory, is free of injurious honey bee pests and diseases. The Division requires control actions when contagious diseases and pests are detected.
Beekeeper Registration Form 
- Announcements
- New Jersey Statutes
- Colony Collapse Disorder
- Beekeeping Fact Sheets:
- Where to Buy Bees in New Jersey
- Swarm Collectors
- Announcements
Rutgers Bee-ginner's Beekeeping Course
The course is designed to train people to start their own bee colonies and care for them. It is given through Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education at Rutgers EcoComplex.
Click here for more information and to register online.
A Star Ledger reporter spent a day with State Apiarist Tim Schuler in July 2010. View the video below.
Backyard beekeepers help honeybees recover from mysterious die-off
- New Jersey Statutes
New Jersey Bee Law
Diseases of Bees
Quarantines
- Colony Collapse Disorder
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a mysterious dying off of bee colonies for no apparent reason that has struck the industry over the past few years. State Apiarist Tim Schuler is working with the researchers in trying various approaches to finding the cause of, and the solution to, the problem.
The Mid-Atlantic Apiculture Research and Extension Consortium is the lead research agency on CCD. Click here to visit their CCD web page.
- Beekeeping Fact Sheets:
About the Honey Bee
American Foulbrood Fact Sheet
Bees, Wasps and Hornets - Know What is Invading Your Space
Guidelines for Keeping Bees in Populated Areas
How to Check for Varroa Mites Using the Sugar Shake Method
Identifying Honey Bee Eggs
Native Bee Benefits
- Where to Buy Bees in New Jersey
New Jersey Nuc and Queen Producers
**Certified by the State Apiarist that the colonies are free from disease.
- Swarm Collectors
Swarming is a natural biological function of honey bees. During swarming, honey bees are behaviorally very gentle. They have no home to defend and their stomachs are filled with honey. They will usually hang on a bush or tree branch in a ball of bees. The scouts then look for a dry dark cavity. When they find one, the swarm will take off and move into that cavity. This process can take from 1 - 5 days depending on the weather.
If you find one of these swarms on your property, please follow these links for lists of New Jersey Beekeepers who collect swarms:
NJ Swarm Collectors
Central Jersey Beekeepers Association Swarm Collectors List
Click here for the "Bees On the Move" honey bee swarm brochure.
For further information contact the State Apiarist, New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry, PO Box 330, Trenton, NJ 08625-0330, 609-292-5440.
