To get bees in a beehive in Minecraft, you need to craft a beehive and then populate it with up to 3 bees from a natural bee nest. This guide covers the two reliable methods: luring bees with a flower or waiting for them to seek shelter on their own.
How to get bees in a beehive in Minecraft
You will also need any type of flower to attract and lead bees.
Step 1: Find bees in a flower biome
Bees naturally spawn in flower biomes: plains, sunflower plains, and birch forests. Look for their natural bee nests hanging from trees. These nests are blocks that bees already occupy, and they are your source for populating your crafted hive.
Step 2: Place your empty beehive nearby
Position your crafted beehive close to the natural nest. Bees can enter a beehive from any unobstructed side, top, or bottom. However, bees can only exit a beehive from its front, provided the exit is not blocked by a solid block. Make sure the front of your beehive is clear so bees can come and go freely.
Step 3: Lure bees with a flower or wait for night
You have two effective methods to move bees into your beehive:
- Lure with a flower: Hold a flower in your hand. A bee will follow you as you walk. Lead it directly to your empty beehive. The bee will enter on its own once it is close enough.
- Wait for night or rain: Bees will naturally enter a beehive at night, during rain, or after they have collected pollen from a flower. If you place your empty beehive near an active nest, bees returning from foraging may choose your hive when their original nest is full.
Understanding bee behavior and hive limits
A single beehive can house up to 3 bees at a time. Bees prioritize returning to the beehive they last entered, checking its coordinates first. If their preferred beehive is full or unavailable, bees will search the nearby area for another suitable one. This is why placing your hive close to a natural nest works: when the natural nest reaches its limit, bees will scout and move into your empty beehive. Remember, bees can enter from any side, but they always exit from the front, so keep that exit clear.
