Where do bees go in the winter: the buzz worthy basics
Bees are essential to nature and you can find them just about anywhere, considering there are over 20,000 species of bees. They come in all shapes and sizes, but which ones are the most common
Every animal has a routine that it goes through to survive the winter. However, the actions of the approximately 100 trillion bees worldwide are unlike any other creature.
Bees are generally fascinating creatures, going through complex life cycles and taking intelligent action to keep their queens safe and their hives healthy. In the wintertime, bees work together to keep warm and safe. Here, we're going to talk about where do bees go in the winter, so read on for more information on these amazing creatures!
Photo by Matthew T Rader
Where do bees go in the winter?
During the summer months, bees are hard at work preparing for the harsh winter to come. They primarily do this by making honey. This is crucial for the survival of the hive during the winter months as bees get their energy and nourishment from the honey that they make. Without this energy, they'll freeze to death during the winter- and, worse, they won't be able to keep their queen warm.
When the weather drops to around 40 or 50 degrees Fahrenheit, honeybees and bumble bees head for their hives. They'll find a comfortable corner to gather in as a group and huddle up next to each other. This uniquely close group of bees is known as a 'winter cluster.'
Because beehives tend to be high off the ground- in trees, on tall buildings, or in high-up rafters- they remain safe from blizzards, floods, and other natural disasters as long as the hive itself isn't damaged. They also only leave the hive on exceptionally warm winter days to eliminate waste from their bodies and the hive.
Photo by Boba Jaglicic
What do bees do in their hive in winter?
To keep warm and live throughout the winter months, bees are reliant on the honey that they've saved up during warmer weather. Over the course of just one winter, a single hive of bees can consume up to 30 pounds of the honey that they stored in the hive.
In the wintertime, bees have one job that they must perform above all others: taking care of the queen bee.
To do this, the worker bees in the hive will form a cluster around the queen bee. This basically means that the huddle around her in an attempt to keep her warm with their body heat. Not only that, but they rapidly shiver and move their wings when they come into contact with the huddle, creating vibrations and movement that generate even more heat. In fact, the interior of the cluster- of which the queen is always the center- can get up to 80 degrees Fahrenheit!
Photo by Eric Ward
More interesting facts about winter and bees
While bees are an incredibly resilient life form, there are a few steps that they must take to keep the hive thriving in the winter.
Now that you know the answer to the question of where do bees go in the winter, it's time to get some more facts about the weather and seasons that impact wildlife. Click here to learn the latest weather news! Here, you can get in the loop on where the cold fronts that the bees are vibrating in are found.Remember to bee careful and warm this winter!
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