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Organic beekeeping involves raising bees without harmful substances and using natural materials and methods to support bee health. Hive location, construction, and harvesting practices are also considered in organic certification.
Organic beekeeping is the process of raising bees without the use of pesticides, herbicides and other unnatural or harmful substances. For beekeeping to fit the definition of organic, bees need to be raised using natural materials and methods, with care taken to support bee health and low stress levels. It is important to note that a beekeeper may consider his efforts organic even if he does not meet all of these standards. However, he usually needs to meet these standards if he wants his beekeeping project to be certified organic.
The backbone of organic beekeeping is ensuring that the products and substances used in the hives are safe for the bees and the beekeeper. If it cannot be handled or consumed safely by a beekeeper or his bees, it does not belong in organic beekeeping. Pesticides and herbicides are among the prohibited things in organic beekeeping. These substances can work to weaken the bees’ immune system, making them more likely to develop diseases as well.
The location of the hive often plays a significant role in whether or not a beekeeping operation is considered organic. Organic beekeeping certification standards may require a hive to be a specified distance from natural vegetation or land cultivated using organic methods. For example, some certification standards require an organic beekeeping operation to have a minimum of 3 miles of organic farmland or surrounding natural plant life. This helps ensure that bees restrict their feeding to these areas, as they are unlikely to fly further afield in search of food.
Organic beekeeping also requires the beekeeper to use hives that are constructed using only natural materials. For example, an organic beekeeper might build a beehive out of unpainted wood. An organic beekeeper doesn’t just stop with building the hive. He also uses tools that are safe for food contact and free of potential pollutants.
To be designated an organic operation, the way in which beekeepers harvest products from the hive is also considered. An organic beekeeper leaves some honey in the hive during harvest, ensuring the bees can feed when the weather is too cold or dry. Often, beekeepers help supplement their bees’ diet by providing sugar water. The organic beekeeper avoids this practice, as he knows that it is not healthy for the bees. Organic beekeepers also leave some of the original honeycomb for the bees when they remove the wax, helping to reduce stress on the bees.
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