A young beekeeper inspired by the flawless mechanisms of nature has managed to create honeybee hives from deadwood.
Stéphane Erhard from Soppe-le-Bas, a small town in France’s northeastern Haut-Rhin department, is now focusing on building and selling his inventive hives.
Having experienced a difficult harvesting season with devastating colony losses in 2018, Stéphane attempted to expand his knowledge in many different ways. He eventually decided to emulate the nesting capabilities of undomesticated bees.
Stéphane told broadcaster France Info: “I’ve observed wild swarms for some time. They settle in tree trunks. I’ve realised they operate without any difficulties. These swarms don’t need human intervention.”
The young businessman added: “My concept was to recreate what functions so well in nature.”
Stéphane – who got into beekeeping as a teenager – said he eventually opted for a dead alder tree.
He explained: “My hives consist of one solid piece of timber. You don’t need any nails, clamps or glue.”
According to Stéphane, his hives – which come for EUR 750 (GBP 640) and a colony – are more ecological than conventional alvearies.
He said: “The structure of my handmade hives is less complex. You just must not expect an extraordinarily large production of honey. If you’re able to harvest 10 to 15 kilogrammes, that’s fine.”
France is one of the main producers of honey in the European Union. Apiarists in the country managed more than 1.8 million hives in 2021, up by 3.3 per cent from the previous year.
The EU’s beekeepers can cover the local demand for honey only to an extent of 60 per cent.
