Urban beehives: still a good idea?

Published on June 29, 2023

We have been focusing on the importance of honey bees for a number of years now, due to the decline in their population worldwide. A number of ecological measures to increase bee populations in urban areas have been put in place, but increasing the number of beehives in towns and cities may have a negative impact on the biodiversity of these environments.

Increasing honey-producing bee populations is detrimental to the survival of other wild pollinators, as there is competition between pollinating species. When it comes to the abundance of ornamental flowers in towns and cities, honeybees primarily consume these floral resources, thus limiting availability to other insects, including wild bees. What's more, the sudden increase in the number of hives in towns and cities has led to health problems among pollinating insects that were previously largely unaffected by this problem. To restore balance to our urban ecosystems, we need to change our everyday habits. Here are a few examples of actions that can help wild pollinators in practical ways:


1. Put an end to the installation of honeybee hives in urban areas
2. Eat organic and local foods
3. Include wildflowers in our gardens
4. Choose plants that flower from spring to fall
5. Do not use pesticides
6. Protect habitat for pollinators
7. Provide water for bees


Remember that sustainable practices in your daily life can help protect the biodiversity of flora and fauna.

Examples can be found in the Environment section of the Town's Website.

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