World Bee Day is among us and hives across Australia are buzzing.

WA Apiarists Society president Stephen Boylen told Millsy at Midday host Steve Mills why he gets a real buzz out of bees.

“Just a fascinating insect, it was a chance to do something different,” he told Millsy of why he started beekeeping four years ago.

“You do beekeeping the way it’s been done for a couple of hundred years.

“There’s nothing electronic, it’s a simple bee suit, some very simple tools and for someone who’s in an office in front of a computer all the time, it’s just such a change, and so rewarding.

“You learn so much as you go and it’s a great community of guys and ladies to work with too.”

Bees are under threat and numbers are declining rapidly across the world. Destruction of their natural habitat, intensive farming practices, and pests and diseases are just some of the complex reasons driving a decline in both the number and diversity of bees. Australia itself has more than 2000 species of native bees.

Press PLAY below to hear more about bees and being an apiarist from Stephen Doyle