The guiding principle of organic beekeeping is to keep human interference to a minimum. This includes the use of chemical or non-organic agriculture, so that bees can gather pollen only from wild or organically-grown plant sources. When a disease occurs in a bee population, antibiotics are not allowed and alternative treatments are used instead.

The beehives are made entirely of wood, which is treated with linseed oil instead of harsher wood finishers such as varnish. After collection, the honey is typically stored in barrels or cans, and unlike mass market honey is not pasteurised or filtered before sale.

The bees are not prevented from swarming, as this is a fundamental and natural aspect of their behaviour. However, since they are fully dependent on the beekeepers and their care, some restrictions are necessary to ensure that production is maintained.