Straight Answers Only

Nope. Bees fly up and out, often a couple of miles, so the hive's footprint is tiny. What matters is the flight path: point the entrance away from paths and patios, or put a fence or hedge in front so bees rise above head height. Rooftops work too; Paris keeps hives on the Opéra Garnier, and London's Fortnum & Mason has rooftop hives on Piccadilly.

Sometimes, yes. Wear a veil and gloves, use a little smoke, move slowly, and avoid opening the hive in cold, rainy or stormy weather when bees are grumpy. Most stings come from rushing or bumping frames.

In spring and early summer, check about every 7 to 10 days, which takes 30 to 60 minutes once you get the hang of it. Late summer is lighter, and in winter you mostly leave them alone apart from quick weight checks and mite treatment.

The big four costs are the hive, a suit or veil, basic tools (hive tool and smoker) and the bees themselves. It almost always costs more than people guess. Borrow what you can through a club and buy the rest once you know what you like.

In most places, yes, but rules vary. Some cities require registration or limit hive numbers; some rental agreements ban it. Check with your local council or city hall. In the UK, signing up to BeeBase, the free register run by the National Bee Unit, is strongly encouraged.

Most beginners buy a "nuc", a small starter colony on a few frames with a laying queen, from a local breeder in spring. You can also buy a package of loose bees with a queen, or catch a swarm with a mentor's help. Local bees are usually better suited to your weather.

Maybe a jar, maybe none. A new colony spends its first season building comb and stocking up for winter. Leave it alone and you'll usually be rewarded in year two.

Honestly, it's more like keeping livestock than saving nature. Honey bees aren't endangered, and in crowded areas they can compete with wild bees for flowers. If you care about pollinators, plant lots of varied flowers and skip pesticides. That helps everyone.

Talk to a doctor before you start, full stop. Most people just get swelling, but a severe allergic reaction can be life-threatening. Also think about family members and neighbours.