Beekeeping becomes a popular hobby across Queensland, as commercial industry remains static

The number of hobby beekeepers in Queensland has more than doubled in the past five years.

In 2015 there were about 1,800 registered, and now there are more than 5,000 people keeping European honey bees.

Among those who took up the hobby is Stephen Wills, who started his collection in his backyard in suburban Bundaberg during lockdown.

“It started last year with the boredom of not being able to go anywhere,” he said.

“I was on the internet and saw a video on bees, and ever since then, I got the bug.”

Mr Wills…