Urban beekeeping has grown dramatically in recent years, but poorly managed urban hives may harm both managed bees and their wild pollinator neighbours.
The urban beekeeping boom reflects genuine care for pollinators, but poorly managed hives often do more harm than good. Overcrowding of hives in cities creates forage competition that disadvantages wild native bees, while untreated Varroa infestations spread to neighbouring colonies and cause profound suffering to individual bees. High-welfare urban beekeeping requires regular skilled inspection, Varroa management, adequate forage access, and limiting hive density per area. Planting pollinator gardens without keeping bees is often more ecologically beneficial.