Did you know that honey bees are sensitive to temperature? Believe it or not, the temperature outside can have a significant impact on their behavior. In this blog post, we will explore the effects of heat on honey bees.
We will discuss how different temperatures can affect their movement, nesting habits, and food production. Stay tuned for some interesting insights into the world of honey bee behavior!
Honey bees are more likely to swarm when the temperature is high.
This is because they are trying to cool the hive by fanning their wings. If the temperature gets too high, the bees will start to die.
Swarming is also a way for the bees to reproduce. When a bee colony gets too big, a new queen will be born and half of the bees will leave with her to start a new hive.
Swarming can be dangerous for humans because bees are very aggressive when they are protecting their hive. They will sting anyone who comes near them.
People who are allergic to bee stings can go into anaphylactic shock and die. To prevent swarming, beekeepers can split the hive into two parts before the temperature starts to rise. They can also provide the bees with more ventilation and water.
Honey bees move less when the temperature is high.
Despite the increased likelihood of swarming, honey bees actually move less during high temperatures for the following reasons. High temperatures make it difficult for bees to fly, and they are more likely to get lost when they leave their hive.
In addition, bees use a lot of energy to keep their hive cool, and they need to conserve their energy during hot weather. As a result, bees are less active when it’s hot outside, and they are more likely to stay close to their hive. However, if the temperature gets too high, bees will abandon their hive in search of cooler climates.
Honey bees build their nests slower when the temperature is high.
Honey bees are very temperature-sensitive creatures. They prefer to build their nests in areas where the temperature is between 95 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. However, when the temperature rises above this range, the bees will build their nests at a slower pace.
The reason for this is that high temperatures can cause the bees to overheat. By building their nests at a slower pace, the bees are able to regulate their body temperature and prevent themselves from becoming too hot.
Additionally, high temperatures can also cause the wax in the nest to melt, making it difficult for the bees to build their nest properly. For these reasons, it is important for honey bees to be able to control the temperature inside their nest in order to build it correctly.
Honey bees produce less honey when the temperature is high.
Honey production slows down when temperatures go above 100 degrees. The higher the temperature, the slower the process.
At temperatures above 104 degrees, honey production stops entirely. This is because the bees need to fan their wings to keep the hive cool. When it’s too hot, they can’t move their wings fast enough to make a difference. The heat also makes them more sluggish and less likely to go out and collect nectar. As a result, high temperatures can have a significant impact on honey production.
Remember, we noted that temps in excess of 104 mean ceasing production altogether. On the flip side of that, honey bees prefer to work in temperatures between 86 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. So while summer is a good time for honey production, the increasingly hot summers that we’ve been experiencing can put this reality at risk without an evolutionary change.
Watch Out For Our Honey Bee Neighbors As Temperatures Climb
If you’re wondering how our honey-producing neighbors are handling this heat, then hopefully this article has shed some light! The next time you see a swarm of bees or find honey shortages in your local area, take a look at the temperature outside. It just might be the culprit!And if you are concerned about the placement of a hive, don’t try to relocate it on your own, especially if you live in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Little Giant Beekeepers serves this locale with the experience and tools necessary for safe bee removal so our buzzy friends can keep doing what they do without doing harm. Contact us today for any bee removal needs you may have.
