Frequently Asked Questions

The Apiarian Home was founded by Netta Caligari, a beekeeper and apitherapist. This is a female-owned, minority-owned small business. Shopping here means that you are directly supporting an independent maker. The bees and I thank you!

Every home fragrance in the collection starts with an organic sugarcane alcohol base infused with real beeswax. That infusion gives it the golden yellow color you see in the bottle (there are no dyes included in the recipe). However, the scent of beeswax is an undertone of the formula, not the primary scent profile. Think of it as the foundation that the botanical blend is built on. Each scent has its own character on top of that base depending on the essential oils and resins in the formula.

If beeswax is what you are really after, try Hive! It is the most beeswax-forward formula in the collection, with resins that add a warm, vanilla-esque sweetness as a finish.

Even though I keep bees, the number of hives I can have on my property isn’t enough to supply all the materials I need for my fragrances. Sourcing thoughtfully is a big part of the work. For beeswax, propolis, and other hive products, I start by looking for local options. When that’s not enough, I work with apiaries that sell and ship materials online. I also source essential oils and plant resins from suppliers who are consistent and reliable. And for the alcohol base, that's made from a supply company that adheres to international safety standards for their fragrance supplies.

Every bottle of The Apiarian Home fragrance is made by hand. There is no factory, machine production line, nor automated filling machine.

Small batch means that only so many bottles can be made in any given week. The beeswax infusion takes time, the botanical blends are assembled by hand, and each is hand-bottled.

This also means that slight variations in color, clarity, and aroma may occur from batch to batch. The beeswax may be a little lighter or darker. The scent may have a subtle shift as natural materials do. I consider this a feature, not a flaw! It's the signature of something authentic.

When you order from The Apiarian Home, you're receiving product made just for you, by someone who believes deeply in what she's creating.

Because my fragrances are made with real beeswax, botanical oils, and resins, you may notice some natural separation or cloudiness in your bottle over time. This is completely normal! A gentle shake before each use is all it takes to bring everything back together. I actually love this about my formula. It's a little reminder that you're holding something handcrafted from natural materials, with love for the honeybee.

This depends on a few things! These fragrances have not been third-party tested for longevity, and formulas using natural ingredients simply behave differently than synthetic ones.

Here is what I know from experience:

Textiles and fabrics hold scent the longest. They latch to the botanical compounds and resins in the formula and hold them well. Heavier textiles like throws, cushions, and upholstery tend to outperform lighter ones like delicate linens. Always test on a hidden area first, as the natural compounds may affect thinner and lighter materials.

Room misting is the most variable. An open window, a ceiling fan, air conditioning, room size, and even humidity levels all affect how long the scent lingers in the air. Experiment with misting in multiple locations rather than one spot, and adjust the amount you use to find what works for your space.

A few other things that affect longevity across the board include how well you shake the bottle before each use, how close or far you mist from the surface, which scent you choose (each formula has a different resin profile, and resins are what help the scent bind and stay), how your bottle is stored (keep it away from heat, direct light, and humidity), and the age of the bottle.

My best advice is to experiment! Find the amount, the distance, and the application method that works for you and your space.

Bees are constantly creating energy in the hive, through movement, sound, scent, and even the vibrations of their wax. You can tap into that energy in your own space with fragrance, too. Start by choosing a scent that resonates with how you want to feel or what you want to focus on. Mist it into the air, onto your linens, or onto a favorite textile that you’ll hold or wrap around yourself. As the scent settles, notice how it interacts with the rhythm of your surroundings.

For more of a ritualistic experience, pair the fragrance with the sound of bees humming. If you don't keep bees or live close to hives, there are plenty of free online recordings. Alternatively, some people like to light a candle or sit quietly with the scent, letting the vibration of the beeswax and plant extracts guide their breathing, focus, or meditation. Others incorporate it as part of their creative work, inviting the bee energy into their process.

And of course, all the other reasons you typically would reach for a home fragrance are wonderful, too! Regardless of your intended use, this fragrance can act as a bridge, letting you work with the essence of the hive in a way that is sensory and entirely yours.

These fragrances are designed for rooms, textiles, and fabrics, and that is how I recommend using them. They are not formulated or tested for direct skin use. However, close proximity to skin is generally OK (for example, if you decide to spray your clothing, or a well-loved blanket).

That said, I know some people will be curious, and what works best for you is at your discretion. Please note that some formulas contain citrus oils, which can cause phototoxicity when applied to skin exposed to sunlight. Individual sensitivities to botanical and hive-derived ingredients also vary widely.

For these reasons, I recommend enjoying them the way they were intended! Misted into your space and onto your textiles, where they truly shine.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out.

This is an important question!

All of my fragrances contain beeswax and beeswax absolute. HIVE also contains propolis. These are bee-derived ingredients, though it is worth noting that bee-related allergies are typically a reaction to bee venom specifically, which is not present in any of these products. These sprays will be safe for most people.

That said, beeswax and propolis can sometimes cause sensitivities, and I am not in a position to tell you whether these products are safe for your specific situation. If you have a known bee allergy or sensitivity to bee products, please test first or consult your healthcare provider before using any product in this collection.

When in doubt, I would rather you be safe than sorry. Your wellbeing matters more than a sale.

Not yet, but it is coming! I am actively working on a full collection set, and it is one of my favorite ideas for the brand. In the meantime, I invite you to still add all five to your cart. If you want to be the first to know when sets are officially available, sign up for the newsletter or follow along at apiarianhome.com.

 I don't offer samples at this time. By the nature of how these home fragrances are made, small sample quantities aren't something I can produce without compromising the integrity of the formula or the batch process.

I completely understand wanting to try before committing to a full bottle, which is exactly why I offer the 30ml size. It's a lower commitment entry point that gives you a real experience of the scent. And, if you fall in love, the 100ml is waiting for you! Not sure which scent is right for you? Please contact me and I'm happy to help you select the right scent!

My prices reflect the quality of what is in the bottle and the mathematical energy of the honeybee.

I work with materials that are costly to source. Beeswax absolute alone is one of the most prized ingredients in natural perfumery, extracted from honeycomb wax through a slow solvent process that concentrates the deepest essence of the wax. Each batch is made entirely by hand, in small quantities, with a process that cannot be rushed.

But, there is another layer to these numbers.

Four appears throughout the bee's world in subtle but powerful ways. Worker bees have four wings, two pairs that hook together to create lift and direction. The structure of the hive itself relies on the number four as a foundation for stability and balance. Four represents grounding, structure, and the solid foundation upon which everything else is built. It is the number of the earth and practicality. Just as the honeycomb is built cell by cell with precision and care, four reminds us that sustainable abundance comes from strong foundations and intentional work.

Eight is deeply connected to the bee. Bees perform their waggle dance in a figure-eight pattern to communicate the location of food and resources to the hive. That figure-eight, turned on its side, becomes the infinity symbol, representing the continuous, unbroken flow of energy, abundance, and collective intelligence. In numerology, eight is associated with prosperity and purposeful work, and the waggle dance is the perfect embodiment of that. The colony sends its members out, they find abundance, and they bring it home.

Nine represents completion and universal connection. It signals the end of a cycle and the beginning of transformation. Nine also reflects the intelligence of the hive as a whole. Each bee contributes to the colony, and the sum of their work produces outcomes greater than any individual effort. While eight represents abundance and flow, nine represents culmination and the harvest of collective labor. In honeybees, nine embodies the natural cycles and structures that sustain life and guide the colony’s activity.

Interested in more numerology? Check out my gift card page, which explores bee symbolism through the meaning of numbers.

Every purchase from The Apiarian Home includes a donation to organizations working to protect pollinators and the habitats they depend on.

Our pollinators are in crisis. Honeybees, native bees, butterflies, and other insects are declining at alarming rates due to habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and disease. One third of the food we eat depends on them. If they disappear, ecosystems begin to unravel.

When you choose a fragrance that speaks to you. I make a donation from that sale to organizations creating pollinator habitat, educating communities, and advocating for policy change. And, because our giving supports pollinator organizations broadly, your purchase likely benefits far more than just honeybees. Native bees, butterflies, and other vital insects are part of that web, too. Donations are typically made on a quarterly basis.

The bees have given us so much. This is one small way of giving back.

Are you a pollinator protection organization interested in collaborating? I would love to hear from you. Please reach out and let's talk!

Let's clarify! The Apiarian Home has two sides. The first is the home goods and personal products line, starting with home fragrances and expanding soon to other products. These products are inspired by the honeybee and designed to bring the essence of the hive into your everyday rituals and space. They have not been tested for therapeutic properties and make no medicinal claims.

That said, studies have shown that essential oils, resins, and beeswax carry aromatic and wellness benefits, and I believe in the power of a good scent to shift your mood, your space, and your day. But that is very different from a medicinal claim.

The second side of The Apiarian Home is the apitherapy practice, currently in development. Apitherapy is the therapeutic use of hive medicines, bee products used intentionally for healing. When that side launches, I will be very clear about what each product is, what it contains, and what its intended use is.

For now, your home fragrance is exactly what it says it is. A beautiful scent inspired by the hive. Enjoy it as such.

I make each scent with care, and I appreciate your patience as I prepare your order. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks from the date your order is placed for your fragrance to ship.

All products ship from Fort Collins, Colorado, USA. At this time, The Apiarian Home ships within the United States only. I am not yet set up for international shipping, but I hope to get there! If you are outside the U.S. and interested in my products or services, I would love to hear from you. Reach out through the contact page and let me know where you are. This will help me decide where to expand next.

Every bottle that leaves The Apiarian Home has been made with precious, natural materials. Out of integrity for our craft and respect for every customer, I am unable to accept returns or exchanges.

Received something damaged in transit? Please reach out within 48 hours of delivery.

Not in love with your product? Send me a note, and I'll do my best to help you find the right scent!

Yes, on a case by case basis. I am a small business, which means mass bulk production has its limits. That said, I am interested in getting these fragrances onto shelves in the right stores, and I work with each potential partner individually to figure out what makes sense.

I am looking for boutiques, spas, wellness centers, garden centers, and specialty shops that care about supporting pollinators. If that sounds aligned, I would love to hear from you!

Visit the wholesale page for more details, or reach out directly at wholesale@apiarianhome.com. Please include your store name, location, website if applicable, and a brief note about your interest. I will get back to you within three business days.

The best way is to join the newsletter (look for "Join the Hive" in the footer of the website). When appropriate, I share product updates and what is coming next for The Apiarian Home. I promise not to clutter your inbox!

And if you are curious about the apitherapy practice specifically, please reach out. I love talking about bees and hive medicine, and I am always happy to share where things are headed.

Fair observation! I enjoy social media for what it does well. Bee and beekeeping content brings me so much joy, and staying connected to distant family and friends is a gift. I also know it is one of the fastest ways to share information and bring people into the world of the beehive.

But I am also making a concerted effort to spend more time outside, working with the bees, and not glued to a screen. That feels more in tune with what this brand is about.

I also want to gently say, I think we could all use a little more time away from digital noise. A dinner out with no phones. A visit to a local apiary. A walk on a hiking path without filming it. Even just sitting outside for ten minutes without checking notifications. It is harder than it sounds, but so lovely! This is a work in progress for me, too.

That said, if you have content you would love to see from me, I want to hear about it. Send me your ideas through the contact page, and I'll see what I can bring to life.

Yes, and I would love to hear your ideas!

I am available for a range of events and educational experiences, including talks and presentations about honeybees, workshops on bee-inspired rituals and the use of hive products in everyday wellness, apitherapy education for individuals, groups, or wellness-focused organizations, collaborative events with shops, studios, wellness centers, or brands that share a love of nature and the hive.

Every event is a little different, and I love tailoring the experience to the audience and the occasion. That being said, please note that I follow more bee-centric practices such as not feeding hives sugar syrup, no treating with heavy chemicals, no hive boxes with paint or plastic, etc. My teachings will reflect a different path from more commercial practices (there are many ways to keep bees, it's a fascinating world).

Let's discuss what would work best for you. Please reach out and we can discuss the details, availability, and pricing. Geeking out about bees is so fun, let's do this!