Requirements for sustainable management of Apis dorsata fab. with rafter method

Abstract

The manufacture of purpose-made nesting sites to attract migrating swarms of the giant Asian honeybee/Bambara bee (Apis dorsata Fab.) is termed “rafter beekeeping” and is practiced at several locations across Southeast Asia. Raftering to be successful, several criteria must be met, some structural; others are environmental and cultural. This paper examines these criteria and their applications. This method of harvesting honey can be introduced into potential environments in parts of tropics and subtropics.