To Bee or not to Bee....Should Beeswax Be used in Candles?

There is some buzz in the air regarding whether it is ethical or not to use the wax from a beehive when making candles. In speaking to beekeepers throughout the country I have found that the majority feel there must be a balance. While bees DO utilize their wax to hold their honey which is extremely important, they also abandon hives and the unfiltered wax is part and parcel of the child-rearing process and can get quite dirty. For me, I am still researching and in the meantime, I ensure that I work with farms that utilize sustainable practices when collecting wax. I also use unfiltered AND filtered wax in a 50/50 ratio as I feel it is a more balanced approach. As with all things nature, I will continue to speak to the professionals to make sure we are in balance with the BEES!