Buckfast Honey Bees: The Beekeeper’s Perfect Partner
If you’re getting started into the fascinating world of beekeeping — or looking to improve or expand your apiary — one name will come up again and again: Buckfast bees. Known for their gentle temperament, impressive productivity, and resilience, these bees have become a favorite among both hobbyists and commercial beekeepers around the world. But what exactly makes the Buckfast bee so special?
The Origins of Buckfast Bees
The Buckfast honey bee was first developed in the early 20th century by Brother Adam, a Benedictine monk at Buckfast Abbey in Devon, England. After a devastating outbreak of Isle of Wight disease wiped out most of Britain’s native honey bees, Brother Adam began crossbreeding surviving colonies to produce a more hardy, disease-resistant, and productive honey bee.
The result? The Buckfast bee combines the best traits from several European and Middle Eastern honey bee subspecies.
Why choose Buckfast Honey Bees
Gentle Temperament
Buckfast bees are known for being docile and easy to handle. This makes them perfect for:
- Beginner beekeepers learning hive management
- Urban beekeeping where neighbors are nearby
- Families and educational apiaries
High Honey Production
One of the biggest reasons beekeepers choose Buckfast bees is their incredible productivity. They’re known to:
- Colonies build up rapidly in spring
- Efficient foragers – foraging in cooler or cloudy weather
- Maintain strong honey yields throughout the season
If your goal is to maximize honey production, Buckfast bees are the bees for you!
Adaptability to Different Climates
Whether you’re keeping bees in the cool forests of Minnesota or the warmer valleys of California, Buckfast bees can adapt well to varied climates. They’re known for their overwintering abilities for these reasons:
- Buckfast bees exhibit efficient winter cluster behavior, regulating the cluster size according to the temperatures
- As temperatures drop, queens reduce egg-laying so the colony overwinters with a smaller population
- They manage their honey stores and often times come through winter with excess stores
Disease and Pest Resistance
Thanks to Brother Adam’s meticulous breeding, Buckfast bees are resilient against many common bee diseases and pests, including tracheal mites and brood diseases.
Efficient Hive Management
Buckfast colonies are known for being:
- Low in swarming tendency, reducing maintenance time
- Excellent housekeepers, keeping brood areas clean
- Strong winter survivors, maintaining cluster stability and conserving resources
This means less intervention and more consistent results for the beekeeper.
Whether you are buying bees for the first time or looking to try a new breed, Buckfast Honey Bees are an excellent choice for every beekeeper.