Researchers have discovered honey beehives act as “living immune systems” that help protect the bee colony, its offspring and food supplies from disease. The finding underlines the need to protect bee habitat to ensure their health.

In an example of insect engineering, each part of the hive—from the beeswax, honey and pollen to the propolis, a sticky material bees collect from plants—is “built in” strategically across different compartments of the hive.

The location of these hive materials, combined with their unique antimicrobial and chemical properties, works to repel disease and to encourage helpful fungi and bacteria.