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As temperatures drop and the vibrant buzz of summer fades, many of us wonder, “What do bees do in the winter?” Unlike some animals, bees do not hibernate, nor do they simply sleep through the cold season. Honeybees, in particular, are active year-round, even when the weather turns frigid. But their behavior during winter is quite different from their bustling summer activities. Let’s explore what bees do in the winter, how they survive the cold, and what beekeepers can do to help ensure their colonies make it through the season.
Table of Contents
Bees Don’t Hibernate or Sleep—They Cluster
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that bees do not hibernate. While many insects enter a state of dormancy during winter, honeybees stay active throughout the cold months, even though you won’t see them flying around outside. Instead of hibernating, honeybees form a cluster inside their hive to maintain warmth.
Bees create a tight cluster in the center of the hive, surrounding the queen to keep her warm. This behavior, known as thermoregulation, is critical for the colony’s survival. The bees vibrate their flight muscles to generate heat. Those on the outer edge of the cluster act as insulation, and they periodically rotate positions with the inner bees so that no one group spends too long exposed to the colder temperatures.
The cluster contracts when the temperatures drop and expands slightly when it warms up, always adjusting to ensure the bees maintain an optimal temperature of around 90-95°F (32-35°C) inside the cluster’s core. The temperature in the outer parts of the hive may drop much lower, but as long as the cluster remains intact, the bees can survive even in freezing conditions.
Insulation: Do Bees Always Cluster?
Interestingly, bees may not need to cluster if their hive is well-insulated and the external temperatures aren’t too extreme. Some beekeepers provide additional insulation to keep the hive warm and to reduce the need for clustering. Others provide a well insulated hive year round. A well-insulated hive means the bees can spread out more within the hive and remain comfortable without expending as much energy. However, if your hive is made from wood that is less than 1.5 inches thick or if it’s particularly cold in your area, the bees will be forced to cluster more tightly to stay warm.
If you have a traditional Langstroth hive or another type of hive with thinner walls, you may want to consider wrapping it in insulation, especially if your winters are long and cold, or switching hive styles to provide adequate insulation. The key is to maintain enough warmth inside the hive without cutting off ventilation, which can lead to moisture buildup (more on this later). Be sure to not wrap your hive completely, and block the entrance, to allow proper airflow.
The Role of Winter Bees vs. Spring Bees
Another remarkable adaptation bees have for winter survival is the development of winter bees. Winter bees are physiologically different from the summer or spring bees. While summer bees only live for about 6 weeks, winter bees can live up to six months or longer.
Physical Differences Between Winter and Spring Bees:
- Longevity: Winter bees live much longer because they are not tasked with the exhausting work of foraging. Instead, their primary role is to keep the hive warm and tend to the queen.
- Fat Bodies: Winter bees are equipped with larger fat bodies, which are specialized fat and protein reserves that help them store energy for the long winter. These fat bodies allow them to endure the scarcity of food and remain in good health until spring arrives.
- Brood Rearing: During the winter, the queen stops, or nearly stops laying eggs, and there is little to no brood present. However, winter bees begin rearing the new generation of bees in late winter or early spring, just before the temperatures rise and food becomes more available.
This stark difference between winter and spring bees allows the colony to survive the months when flowers aren’t blooming and food is scarce. Come spring, when the queen resumes laying eggs, the winter bees will raise the new brood, replenishing the hive’s population for the warmer months ahead.
Cleansing Flights: A Sign of Life
Even though bees do not leave the hive during winter as frequently as they do in warmer seasons, they still need to take care of one important task: cleansing flights.
Cleansing flights are exactly what they sound like—opportunities for bees to leave the hive and relieve themselves. Bees are incredibly clean creatures and do not defecate inside the hive unless they absolutely have to. When the weather allows (temperatures above 50°F or 10°C), bees will venture out for short flights to empty their digestive systems.
If you notice yellow streaks on the front of your hive or in the surrounding snow, this is a positive sign. It indicates that your bees are alive and well, as they’ve been able to leave the hive for cleansing flights. These streaks are the result of the bees’ defecation, a normal part of their winter routine.
Should You Open Your Hive in Winter?
As tempting as it might be to check on your bees during winter, it’s important to avoid opening the hive when the temperature is below 58°F (14°C). Opening the hive at these temperatures can cause the cluster to lose heat rapidly, which could put the bees at risk of freezing.
If you absolutely must inspect your hive, do so on a milder day when temperatures are warmer, and be sure to minimize the amount of time the hive is open. If you suspect issues like moisture buildup or poor ventilation, it’s better to address these problems quickly than to leave them unresolved, but always be mindful of the weather.
Feeding Bees in Winter: What To, and Not To Do
One of the biggest concerns beekeepers have in winter is whether their bees have enough food to last until spring. In winter, bees survive on the honey stores they’ve collected during the warmer months. Ideally, your colony will have enough honey to make it through the entire winter, but in cases where you notice their stores running low, you can supplement their diet.
What to Avoid:
- Liquid Feed: Do not feed your bees liquid sugar water in the winter. While this is a common feeding method in the warmer months, liquid feed can increase the risk of condensation inside the hive. Moisture is a greater threat to bees than cold. If condensation builds up inside the hive, it can drip onto the bees, chilling them and potentially causing death.
What to Offer:
- Sugar Patties: If needed, you can provide your bees with sugar patties or fondant, a solid form of sugar that is much safer for winter feeding. These can be placed directly in the hive, and they provide the bees with an easy-to-digest source of energy without the risk of increased moisture.
Managing Moisture in the Hive
Moisture is the enemy of bees in winter. Even if the temperature is cold, bees can survive as long as they’re dry and warm. However, excess moisture inside the hive can lead to condensation, which, as mentioned earlier, can chill the bees and lead to their death.
To combat this, make sure your hive has proper ventilation. Consider using an upper entrance or a small ventilation hole to allow moisture to escape while keeping cold drafts at bay. Additionally, you can place an absorbent material, like wood shavings or a moisture quilt, inside the hive to help soak up any excess humidity.
Preparing for Spring: What Happens Next?
As winter draws to a close and the days grow longer, bees begin preparing for the arrival of spring. The queen will start laying eggs again, and the winter bees will work to raise the new brood. As the temperatures rise, bees will gradually become more active, venturing out for foraging flights as soon as the first flowers begin to bloom.
Beekeepers can help this process by checking on their hives in early spring, ensuring that food stores are adequate and that the bees are healthy. Regular hive inspections will resume once the weather is warm enough, and your bees will soon be back to their busy routine.
Conclusion
Bees are incredibly resilient creatures, and their winter survival strategies are nothing short of amazing. From clustering to thermoregulation, cleansing flights to managing moisture, bees have evolved a range of adaptations that allow them to thrive even in the coldest months. As a beekeeper, understanding these behaviors and knowing how to support your bees through the winter will ensure that your colonies emerge strong and healthy come spring.
This topic is covered in our 10 Fascinating Facts About Honeybees You Never Knew post.
