GUEST COMMENTARY - Beekeeping is trending in many cities – this also harbors risks

The growing trend of urban beekeeping, while popular, carries significant risks that threaten both honeybees and wild bee populations, according to a commentary in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung.

Cities like Zurich and Berlin have seen a substantial increase in beehives. Zurich's hives grew from 900 in 2014 to over 1200, while Berlin's tripled since 2005. This boom is partly fueled by a misconception that honeybees are in decline and require conservation efforts, which experts state is not the case in Europe or globally.

Specialists, conservationists, and beekeeping associations are concerned about the largely unregulated rise in urban beekeeping. Experts highlight that urban bees face various stressors, including insufficient floral resources. Honeybees and wild bees are forced to compete for limited pollen and nectar. Furthermore, ornamental plants common in cities may offer fewer nutrients, and ornamental plants common in cities may offer fewer nutrients.

A high density of honeybee colonies can accelerate the spread of diseases, such as Varroatosis, transmitted by the Varroa mite. Bees kept in densely built areas or on rooftops are also exposed to air pollution and heat. Experts have identified potential conflicts arising from competing interests, particularly between hobby beekeepers with few hives and commercial breeders with many, who consume a disproportionately large share of available food resources.

Studies indicate that in densely populated areas, there are too many honeybees for the available food. Consequently, cities like Oslo and Zurich have begun regulating beekeeping. Oslo introduced zones in 2020 to limit hive density, and Zurich banned new hives on city-owned property in 2025 to protect wild bees. The commentary calls for a coordinated, scientifically based, and fair strategy involving urban beekeeping associations, local authorities, and researchers to manage urban beekeeping effectively.