Urban Beekeeping In Singapore?

The feasibility of urban beekeeping, particularly in Singapore, remains uncertain. To explore this possibility, I decided to conduct a trial on my balcony, where I have been monitoring the behavior and growth of a small colony of Apis florea for the past two weeks. It may still be premature to draw definitive conclusions about the potential for urban beekeeping, as there are several factors to consider.

Firstly, apis florea is a challenging species to domesticate, resembling a miniature version of the Himalayan Giant Honeybee, apis dorsata, and not constructing multiple combs like the mellifera or cerana. Therefore, I require more time to comprehend their behavior.

Secondly, the trial period of less than a year may not be an accurate indicator of the long-term feasibility of urban beekeeping. Nonetheless, despite the slow growth rate, the colony seems to be sustaining itself and not relocating to another area.

One possible explanation for the colony's sustainability could be the abundance of forage in my area, which provides an ample food source for the bees. I confirmed this by observing their ability to collect pollen and bring it back to the nest. Pollen is the primary food source for honeybees, with nectar or other sweet liquid substances being a close second. Without access to a sufficient pollen source, a colony would be unable to nourish its young and ultimately would not survive.

I captured a video clip of worker bees energetically communicating with each other through their dance movements. You can see one bee carrying two loads of pollen on her hind legs. The intensity of the dance conveys the abundance of pollen available. It was clear that these bees were thrilled to receive the good news from their fellow bee: they had discovered a new food source.