During the winter months, honeybee colonies face their most challenging period of survival. The combination of cold temperatures, limited food resources, and the need to conserve energy puts hives at significant risk.
Factors like heat loss, excess moisture, and insufficient food reserves can weaken a hive and threaten its winter survival.
"Honeybee diapause is different than most other insects," shared Emma Grace Crumbley, an Entomologist at Mosquito Squad Plus. "Because honeybees are social insects that live together in a colony, they also diapause together in their hives during cold months."
She goes on to explain how they thrive, noting that "Bees will generate warmth by huddling together in the hive with the healthy queen at the center. During the cold temperatures, when resources like flowers and water are scarce, reproduction will drop significantly, and the hive's population will be less than its peak during the summer months. During the winter, bee hives are at their most vulnerable state."
Strong colonies take winter preparation seriously. And in those colonies, healthy worker bees are more likely to thrive through the diapause phase in the honeybee life cycle.
Crumbley shared a few ways you can help to promote active honeybee hives in the winter months:
1. Identify Your Bees
"Before you worry about protecting your yard's pollinators, identify the bees you have," recommends Crumbley.
Pay attention, because it's likely that you have lots of different species in your yard year-round.
She added, "Several wasp species are often mistaken for honeybees, and promoting wasp nests in the winter may lead to wasp problems in the spring."
Not sure what to look for? "Honeybees are usually a half-inch long with fuzzy thoraxes and chunky abdomens. Foraging honeybees also have pollen sacs on their hind legs that look like golden orbs."
2. Identify the Hives
"Once you know you have honeybees around your yard, take time to locate and mark their hives," notes Crumbley. "This helps you keep track of where the bees will be nesting throughout the winter season in case changes in your yard need to be made.
For example, if a dead tree needs to come down in the middle of winter, you will know whether the nest is in or near that tree and can work with an arborist accordingly."
Take note: Wild honeybees often make their hives in hollow trees, rock crevices, and occasionally abandoned structures like birdhouses. Be on the lookout for hive entrances.
3. Create Alternate Shelters
"If you're concerned that the hive will not survive the cold winter, creating alternate nesting areas may help the colony move," highlights Crumbley.
"When challenging weather conditions, limiting resources, and dwindling populations affect the hive, honeybee colonies occasionally move to a more suitable location. Adding alternate bee habitats and nesting sites in the form of bee boxes to your yard can provide bees with a better home than their current hive."
4. Talk to an Experienced Beekeeper
"The biggest thing to keep in mind when caring for wild honeybees is to leave them alone as much as possible. Winter is a vulnerable time for bees, and messing with their hives, even under the assumption that you are helping the bees, can ultimately hurt the colony," underscores Crumbley.
"For questions about hive insulation, giving bees sugar, and other ways you can help wild honeybees, contact a local beekeeper or beekeeping club in your community. At Mosquito Squad, 15 unique locations across eight different states have beekeepers on staff ready to help homeowners understand and manage bee populations in their backyards."
FAQ
How do Varroa mites affect honeybees in cold months?
Varroa mites feed on honeybees and spread viruses that weaken colonies and lead to pollinator decline. In winter, bees can’t replace lost workers as quickly, so mite damage is more severe.
Beekeepers may treat hives in late summer or fall with organic acids, essential oils, or mechanical methods like screened bottom boards to lower mite numbers. Some also monitor mite levels with sugar rolls or alcohol washes.
Managing mites before winter gives colonies a better chance to survive until spring.
Do bees need extra food like sugar syrup in the winter?
Wild native bees rely on their honey supply, but if honey stores run low, beekeepers may offer sugar syrup or a sugar feeder. These options provide food for bees until natural sources return. It’s important not to disturb wild hives; however, beekeepers use brood boxes and other methods to safely support managed colonies.
We live in a rainy region. What is the risk of moisture inside a hive during winter?
A thoughtful and important call-out! Cold isn’t the only problem for bees. Moisture buildup inside the hive can drip onto the bees and nest cells and chill them, even if they’ve stored enough food. Some beekeepers use simple methods like tilting the hive forward, adding ventilation holes, or using absorbent materials above the brood box to reduce excess moisture.
