The Apiary Program offers free, voluntary inspections to all Wisconsin beekeepers. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has two apiary (bee) inspectors available for inspections May through October. Inspections are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
To Schedule an Inspection (May through October):
Inspector for Western Wisconsin (yellow)
Contact Eastern inspector for questions or outreach requests in the off season
Inspector for Eastern Wisconsin (blue)
Donna Stine
(608) 354-3689
donnar.stine@wisconsin.gov
Migratory Beekeepers
If you need an apiary permit or a certificate of apiary inspection for out-of-state movement, schedule an inspection with one of our inspectors and then contact the State Apiarist to issue the permit or certificate. There is a flat fee of $50 for permits/certificates. Most states require certification to bring in bee hives.
Liz Meils, State Apiarist
P.O. Box 8911
2811 Agriculture Dr.
Madison, WI 53708-8911
(608) 224-4572
(608) 224-4656 (fax)
elizabeth.meils@wisconsin.gov
What to Expect for an Inspection
- Beekeeper should be present for inspection
- Inspector will ask about hive maintenance and history
- A percentage of hives will be inspected for mites, symptoms of viruses, foulbrood diseases, and exotic pests and diseases
- Beekeeper assists with the lifting of hive bodies
- For migratory inspections, hives must be accessible in the yards (not yet loaded on trucks)
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