You might like to know about the hives in winter. The bees in this low season are very different from their summer buzz, they are quietly waiting in their frames for the spring to return. We picked a bright, warm winter day to peek at a few hives to see how they were getting on, and to show you what's happening. January was too cold, so we waited til February!
Each year we prepare our colonies for winter, a difficult time of the year for bees.
Bees are cold-blooded, so cluster to stay warm. They generate heat by flexing their wing muscles and take turns being on the outside of the ball. The queen is in the middle of the cluster, protected by worker bees surrounding her. She will not leave this cluster for several months.
During the winter the bee cluster will slowly move around the hive and consume their stores. If the bees become disconnected from their food stores they may starve.
Bees are very good housekeepers and like to keep their hive clean. On warmer winter days when the temperature rises above 14C they will quickly fly out to get water and begin to clean the hive. We've seen pollen carried in by the buzzy ladies!
We can't wait for spring!
