What is natural beekeeping?

Put simply, natural beekeeping puts the welfare of the bees first. This is known as bee-centred or api-centric beekeeping. Beekeeping decisions are made based on that fundamental principle.

We ask ourselves the question:

‘Is what we are thinking of doing good for the bees?’

As natural beekeepers honey production is not our primary aim. We are more interested in the bees given their threatened status worldwide and our dependence on them for pollination of many of our food crops.

Having said that, if there is a clear surplus of honey we harvest it. There is nothing like the honey from your own hive.

“I like having bees in our yard. I am learning more about how bees help our plants and am very excited when they have some honey to share.

Thanks Jon and Bees at Home.”

— Chiara from Banks

Natural beekeeping is the beekeeping equivalent of organic or biodynamic gardening and farming. Our beekeeping, hives and practices align, as much as possible, with how bees live in the wild whilst practicing within the Beekeeping Code of Practice.

Here are a couple of links if you want more information: