Swarms of residents in Milwaukee have started beekeeping ...

The City of Milwaukee is quite literally buzzing with excitement over a new addition to the city. Eight urban beekeepers are doing their part to help the dwindling bee population 16 months after an ordinance has allowed bees to be kept within the city.

While the presence of bees in a neighborhood may be seen as dangerous by many residents a little education can often sway minds. In an article on JSOnline Milwaukee beekeeper Terri Kinis says that unlike wasps honey bees are very non aggressive, preferring to give humans a “bump” with their heads before resorting to stinging when angered.

In order to have your own hive in Milwaukee you must notify neighbors within 200 feet of your house and if they have concerns permits can be denied.

As for urban beekeeping spreading to Eau Claire, the outlook is thus far bleak.  We talked to City Attorney Stephen Nick a while back who says that keeping bees in the city would be in violation of the city’s nuisance ordinance (which is also the reason you can’t have pigeons, badgers, or giraffes).  For now Eau Claire bee enthusiasts will have to settle for the ones that frequent the town already.