Though known for its pink-sand beaches and warm hospitality, Bermuda also has a surprising place in the early history of beekeeping, dating back to 1616.
That year, the first recorded beehive arrived in Bermuda when a Mr. Robert Rich received bees sent from England by his brother, Sir Nathaniel Rich. These bees were kept in what Robert described as “the Governor’s Gardens,” likely housed in clay pots or traditional woven hives. Remarkably, this predates the introduction of bees to the American colonies by six years. Today, our bee population includes the native Leafcutter Bee and the European Honey bee — the latter being the source of our delicious local honey.
Local Leafcutter bee (Megachile pruina pruina). Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Govt of Bermuda
Local European Honey bee (Apis mellifera). Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Govt of Bermuda
Beekeeping in Bermuda is a relatively new practice compared to the tradition of beekeeping and honey collection in the ancient world. Long before they reached Bermuda, ancient civilisations had been collecting honey and refining the art of beekeeping.
An early glimpse into this tradition comes from a 9,000-year-old cave painting in Valencia, Spain, which shows a figure dangling from a cliff to gather honey from a wild hive. This is one of the earliest known depictions of honey collection. By 3,000 BCE, the ancient Egyptians had transformed this practice into an organised craft. They developed tubular, portable clay hives that allowed them to transport the hives along the Nile with the changing of the seasons. They were also some of the first to use smoke to settle their hives before honey collection.
The first bees in Bermuda, unlike the tubular clay hives used in Ancient Egypt, were likely kept in skeps, cedar boxes, and pottery jugs by Bermudian beekeepers. Skeps are dome-shaped baskets typically made from wicker or straw, but in Bermuda, they were often woven from palmetto leaves. Inside, bees attach their wax combs directly to the walls, mimicking the behaviour they exhibit in the wild.
Illustration of a traditional bee skep — an early form of beehive made from woven straw, once commonly used before the advent of modern hives.
In all of these early hive types, honey collection was a destructive process. Often, the hive was damaged or even destroyed. Beekeepers also had no way to inspect the hive or monitor the health of the bees. At the time, the goal was simply honey collection. Little consideration was given to the long-term maintenance of the colony or the conservation of the bees.
Vignette from the Hall of History mural depicting 17th-century beekeeping — featuring an early hive design that reflects the traditional practices of the time.
This traditional method of beekeeping continued until the mid-1800s, when the invention of the Langstroth hive changed honey collection and bee conservation. Langstroth’s design, featuring removable frames, allowed beekeepers to inspect hives and collect honey without disrupting the entire colony. This innovation not only improved hive management but also laid the foundation for modern beekeeping practices that focus on sustainability and bee health.
Modern interpretation of the Langstroth beehive — a sleek redesign of the classic structure that revolutionised beekeeping.
Honey wasn’t the only prized product of beekeeping — beeswax, collected during honey harvesting, was used in sailmaking and rigging, where it was applied to thread or line to strengthen, waterproof, and reduce friction during stitching.
Today, Bermuda is vastly different from the island where the first bees were introduced. There are significantly more people and animals, and the flora and fauna have changed considerably. The introduction of various plants, such as Easter lilies, freesias, and Mexican pepper, has given the bees a much wider food source. This also changes how the honey they produce tastes.
After considering all this information, you may still wonder, why are bees important to Bermuda? Honey production aside, bees help our plants to bear fruit thanks to pollination. Tiny hairs on bees trap pollen as they travel from flower to flower, facilitating the transfer essential for fruit and seed development. Plants and trees that bees help to pollinate include Avocados, squash, strawberries, broccoli, kale, palm trees, pumpkins, carrots, pawpaws, bananas, and many more.
Beekeeping in Bermuda is an often overlooked thread connecting the island to broader traditions of agriculture, ecology, and sustainability. From the palmetto leaf-woven skeps of the past to today’s modern box hives, bees have quietly supported the health of our gardens, orchards, and wild spaces. They’re more than just honey-makers—they’re essential partners in our local food system and biodiversity.
The next time you see a bee buzzing through your garden, take a moment to appreciate its role and consider what we can do to protect it. Whether supporting local beekeepers, planting pollinator-friendly gardens, or learning more about the conservation work done by the beekeepers, each of us can help ensure that Bermuda’s beekeeping legacy continues to thrive.
