Bee Natural
Beekeeping with the Warré Hive
A complete, practical guide to natural beekeeping that respects the bees’ own instincts and rhythms.
Written by Boglands Bees at Boglands Hideaway, County Offaly.
About the Book
Bee Natural – Beekeeping with Warré is a clear and respectful guide to keeping bees using the traditional Warré method. Designed to closely mimic the natural homes of bees in tree cavities, the Warré hive offers a gentle, low-intervention approach that supports healthy, resilient colonies.
Whether you are completely new to beekeeping or an experienced beekeeper looking to move toward a more natural way of working, this book provides everything you need to get started with confidence.
What’s Inside
THE
BOOK
Take a Peek Inside
- The history and philosophy of the Warré hive
- Why natural beekeeping matters
- Understanding honey bee behaviour
- Full hive construction plans and dimensions
- How to site, set up, and manage your apiary
- Seasonal care in the Irish climate
- Natural approaches to pests and diseases
- Harvesting honey and hive products
- Troubleshooting and advanced topics
Who This Book Is For
- Beginners wanting a gentle introduction to beekeeping
- Beekeepers interested in the Warré method
- Anyone who values minimal intervention and bee wellbeing
- People looking for a practical, Ireland-friendly approach
Bees
Prefer to Read the Book Online?
Read the Book Online
Read on the website. You can read the full book chapter by chapter below.
Learn About Natural Beekeeping
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Chapter 1: The History and Philosophy of the Warré Hive
- Chapter 2: Why Choose Natural Beekeeping with Warré?
- Chapter 3: Understanding the Honey Bee
- Chapter 4: The Warré Hive – Design, Dimensions and Construction Plans
- Chapter 5: Siting Your Apiary and Setting Up the Hive
- Chapter 6: Obtaining and Installing Your First Colony
- Chapter 7: Natural Hive Management – The Warré Way
- Chapter 8: Nadiring, Swarming and Reproduction
- Chapter 9: Harvesting Honey and Hive Products
- Chapter 10: Seasonal Care – Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter in Ireland
- Chapter 11: Health, Pests and Diseases – Natural Approaches
- Chapter 12: Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Chapter 13: Advanced Topics and Scaling Up
- Appendices
Read About The Bees
About the Author
Introduction
Let's get Started
Welcome to Bee Natural – Beekeeping with Warre.
In the heart of Ireland’s bogs and wildflower meadows, honeybees have thrived for thousands of years without human interference. The Warre hive, also known as the People’s Hive (Ruche Populaire), was designed by French priest Abbé Émile Warré in the early 20th century to mimic these natural tree-trunk homes as closely as possible while remaining practical for the modern beekeeper.
This book provides a complete, ready-to-implement guide to natural beekeeping using the Warre hive. We emphasise minimal intervention, chemical-free methods, natural comb building, and respect for the bees’ own instincts. Whether you are a complete beginner in County Offaly or an experienced beekeeper looking to transition to a more bee-centred approach, this book will equip you with everything you need.
Natural beekeeping is not just a technique – it is a philosophy. By letting the bees build their own comb, regulate their own nest, and defend themselves against pests, we produce healthier colonies, tastier honey, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Let’s begin.
Chapter One
The History and Philosophy of the Warré Hive
Abbé Émile Warré (1867–1951) spent over 50 years experimenting with more than 350 hive designs. His goal was simple: create an affordable, easy-to-build hive that respected the bees’ natural biology. The result was the Warre hive – a vertical top-bar system with small square boxes stacked like a hollow tree.
Warré published his findings in Beekeeping for All (available in English translation). The hive’s philosophy is “let the bees do the work.” Bees build downward from fixed top bars, brood moves down naturally, and honey is stored above. The beekeeper adds empty boxes underneath (nadiring) rather than on top, preserving nest scent, heat and hygiene.
This design mirrors wild colonies in tree cavities: narrow, tall, foundationless comb, and minimal disturbance.
Key Warre Principles
- Foundationless natural comb
- Top-bar only (no frames)
- Nadiring (bottom expansion)
- Quilt box for insulation and moisture control
- Minimal inspections