Overpopulation avoided by limiting hives to a sustainable number for the locality.
Hives consturcted of renewable natural materials.
Coatings other than beeswax and propolis not applied to hive interiors.
Separation barriers not used as integral elements.
No clipping the wings of queen bees.
The swarm process not suppressed.
No manipulation of the drone population.
All combs constructed as natural combs. Natural combs are those constructed by the bees without wax foundation. Natural combs may be constructed on top-bars, half-frames or frames. Food grade plastic foundation or cells may be temporarily used during natural or small cell regression.
Manipulations kept to a minimum to preserve the hive atmosphere and unity of the colony.
No foreign substances, medications or chemicals (including essential oils, herbs, formic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, boric acid,
Bacillus thuringeinsi and Humulus lupulus) used within hive.
Natural selection encouraged through the propagation of locally adapted survivor colonies capable of productivity without intervention.
Conservative honey harvesting practiced to allow bees to winter on their honey stores.