Honey Bees rock at Appalachian Bee! Our passion is creating the best quality honey along with skin care products that contain beneficial elements from the beehive.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
What bees do in the winter
I am often asked "What do honeybees do in the winter?" They pretty much do what you and I do actually. Hang out, eat, and wait for spring. Their muscles do not work under 47 degrees, so when the temperature is below 47, they form a cluster in the colony, like a big basketball, surrounding the frames where there is food. The center of the cluster is kept around 74 degrees, and these bees can move about and consume the honey to thrive. The bees on the outside cannot reach the food source, so the bees on the inside will take turns and go to the outside of the cluster. If there are larva or brood (young bees in development stage) in the cells of the comb, they will keep this temperature at about 94 degrees, otherwise the larva or brood will not survive. Bees can generate a great deal of body heat. Remember, honey equals energy to the bees, and if they do not have enough food source in the colony, they cannot survive. It is late November and I noticed some of my bees bringing in pollen the other day. I had seen some dandelion blooming, so they will work if there is work to be done if the temperature is warm enough. Honeybees Rock!
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