Honey bee hives offer a wide range of materials that humans can use. As beekeepers, it is important to harvest with intention, balancing human needs with the wellbeing of the colony. Thoughtful use of the hive not only reduces waste but also opens doors for creative projects or small business opportunities. No matter what is crafted, the product reflects the bees’ hard work and value!

Bee Resourceful, Bee Respectful

Honey is the most well-known product of the hive, and for good reasons. It is a versatile ingredient used in baking, added into drinks and marinades. Honey can also be fermented, which makes a product known as mead! Composed of mainly fructose and glucose, honey is a natural sweetener that can be raw or pasteurized. There are also different types of honey depending on the plant the nectar is collected from. Numerous factors influence the characteristics of honey such as color, which is usually dependent on factors such as storage time, temperature, humidity, or forage type ¹. The consistency of honey may also vary depending on the process of crystallization, this is mostly caused by storage temperature¹.

Infused honey and creamed honey are popular variations that offer new texture and flavors. Beyond food, honey has many medicinal properties, including antioxidant activity, wound healing, anticancer potential, and antimicrobial behaviors ². Honey can retain calcium in the body and deter bacterial growth ³. Honey has also been found to stimulate new tissue growth and have antimicrobial properties due to its low pH and water content when applied on top of a wound ³.

Honey is a great food that is filled with sugars, water, minerals, amino acids and enzymes ³. It is an important component of the hive. Responsible harvesting is essential, honey must be left for the bees, especially as winter feed to support colony survival.

Figure 1: Honey bees storing nectar in cells (Perennia ©, 2024)

Wax is another important product made by the hive. This beeswax can be transformed into a wide range of useful products like lip balm, candles, soap, crayons, or food wraps. It can be easily collected from burr comb or honey capping. When melting wax, it is important to use a double boiler over electric heat, as was is highly flammable. Wax is also capable of drawing in substances that are lipophilic, which could be harmful residues that may come from hives treated with pesticides or miticides ³.

Beeswax is biodegradable and long-lasting, making it a valuable alternative to synthetic materials. Using beeswax to create new materials may reduce waste, and reliance for some supplies. Whether used for crafts or practical items, wax offers a sustainable impact.

Figure 2: Honey bees on a frame of new wax (ATTTA ©, 2025)

Propolis is another product that honey bees create using wax, pollen, natural resins and salivary secretions ⁴.  Bees use this to coat the inside of the hive, such as the inner walls and frames to protect it from intruders or poor weather ⁴. Honey bees also use propolis to seal foreign objects like mice or snakes, that are difficult to remove from the hive, preventing decomposition inside the hive ³.

Propolis contains a wide range of chemical compounds and it is thought to have therapeutic uses, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and wound-healing properties ⁴. Its natural activity makes it promising in health and wellness products. Harvesting propolis should be done carefully as it is important for bees inside the hive.

Honey bee hives offer more than just honey, but also wax for creating materials and propolis for medicinal uses. Mindful harvesting of these materials supports both sustainability and innovation. By harvesting hive products with care and intention, waste could be reduced and meaningful gifts can be made. Whether operating at a hobby, or commercial scale, the hive has a lot to offer. Materials should be used wisely and resources returned when possible to support colony health. 

Written by the one and only Kaitlyn Newton, ATTTA Seasonal Apiculturist

Connecting with ATTTA Specialists

If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:

visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/

Email attta@perennia.ca

References:

1.      Kardas, M., Staśkiewicz-Bartecka, W., Sołtys, K., Dul, L., Sapała, A.M., Kiciak, A., Bielaszka, A. and Kardas, J., 2024. The quality of selected raw and pasteurized honeys based on their sensory profiles and consumer preferences. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10, p.1330307.

2.      Miguel, M.G., Antunes, M.D. and Faleiro, M.L., 2017. Honey as a complementary medicine. Integrative medicine insights, 12, p.1178633717702869.

3.      Sammataro, D. and Avitabile, A., 1998. The beekeeper's handbook. Cornell University Press.

4.      Martinotti, S. and Ranzato, E., 2015. Propolis: a new frontier for wound healing?. Burns & trauma, 3(1), p.9.