Principles of our Alternative Beekeeping

Our Alternative Beekeeping is a holistic, bee friendly approach which aims to cater for the bee colony superorganism as a whole. As part of our practice, we have developed the following five key principles. These principles crystallise in a simple way that is essentially an incredibly complex and multifaceted outlook.

1. NATURAL COMB
Allowing the bees to build their own comb has a multitude of benefits for both the bees and the beekeeper. Comb building is the foundation of honeybees biology – the bees use their body’s as tools to craft such an amazing structure – it can be thought of as the skeleton, skin, womb and liver of the colony, and also acts as a communication network, a dance floor for information shared.

All our hives are colonized with natural swarms and all colonies are allowed to build their own comb, determining colony size and population dynamics.

In contrast, comb building is never allowed or encouraged in conventional beekeeping – rather, to increase honey stores, artificial combs are given to the bees to increase worker bee population and capitalise on honey flows. Artificial combs (made of wax or plastic) are often re-used for decades containing contaminants. The communication of the bees is muffled by this practice.

2. NATURAL REPRODUCTION
Swarming is the ultimate desire of the honeybee, creating fulfillment across the entire colony. Allowing bees to reproduce naturally also has many benefits for the beekeeper. The colony receives a ‘brood break’ which is healthy for the bees and develops a young queen with new genetics from the local area, allowing the colony to adapt to disease and changing climate. Disease is basically non-existent in our colonies and the colonies have developed resilient traits not commonly seen in commercially bred bees.

In contrast, it is encouraged in conventional beekeeping to kill the old queen and re-queen the colony with in a couple of years to prevent swarming ever happening, primarily to increase honey production and to maintain docile bees. However, defensiveness of the colony, has as much to do with colony size, weather, nectar flow, pollen types and how a beekeeper manages the colony during their hive inspection. The genetic makeup of the colony is not the only reason bees can be defensive and probably only plays a small part.

3. NATURAL FOOD
Nectar and pollen gathered by the bees from the surrounding environment and transformed into honey and bee bread inside the hive is the only essential food the bees need. Due to the unique design of our Layens Horizontal Insulated Hives (which gives the bees a warm and dry environment) and our sensitive management, we have never had to feed any of our colonies, even during times the nectar flow stops (dearth).

Unfortunately, most colonies around the world are fed heavily with sugar syrup, artificial pollen supplements and other dubious feeds to increase productivity. These practises result in disease and stress occurring in colonies and may potentially contaminate the honey and other products harvested from the hive.

Fresh nectar in virgin comb – the natural food for honeybee colonies - full of all the nutrients/minerals they need.

4. NO CHEMICALS
No chemicals are necessary to keep honeybees healthy. In fact, any use of chemicals to control pests and/or diseases can have detrimental effects on the colony and the products from the hive. We have never used any chemicals on the bees, hives or combs. Strong genetics come from the strength of the bee. Treating bees creates weakness. Nature her self works strongly with this principle. The weak will dwindle and the strong will prevail.

In contrast, chemicals are often used in conventional beekeeping in the hive itself and a multitude of chemicals are often used to control the Varroa mites and other diseases. Contaminating the bees beautiful home.

In addition to chemicals, many beekeepers use combs made from plastic or hives made from plastic or expanded polystyrene which has a high carbon footprint and may leach chemicals into the hive and other bee products.

5. MINIMAL INTERVENTION
Honeybees colonies are creatures of solitude and benefit from being left alone most of the time. The opening of hives to inspect colonies should be done gently and swiftly during warm, sunny weather. Interestingly, the Layens hive is one of the only hives that allows beekeepers to check colonies with out flooding the whole colony with light. all at the same time. The solid topped frames hold out the light to keep disruption to a minimum.

We recommend brood inspections three or four times per season. Many beekeeping books and clubs recommendations, more frequent openings, even on a weekly basis, which is disturbing to the colony in a number of different ways. This puts back the queens laying and generally disturbs the colony from their task in hand.

The bees from our wild colonies which we allow to reproduce naturally, results in genetic diversity and resilience.

The principles can be seen in our daily practise as professional beekeepers:

  • • We use bee-friendly Layens Horizontal hives instead of standard conventional National hives, deep frames for wintering.

  • • Our hives are populated with natural wild swarms from the local area instead of intensively bred commercial bees.

  • • We let the bees build their own comb rather than giving bees artificial beeswax foundation or plastic combs.

  • • We allow the colony to swarm (reproduce) naturally and do not practice routine queen culling/replacement.

  • • We have never treated our bees or equipment with chemicals.

  • • We have never fed our bees sugar syrup or pollen supplements.

  • • We make our hives with great care and thoughts in the smallest detail for the bees.

  • • We do not migrate hives; our apiaries are permanent with a maximum size of 10 colonies (some commercial Apiarys can be 100 hives strong)