Pollen Patch Bee Farm

During the cold winter months there are not a lot of tasks that need to be completed for the hives. Bees are really good at maintaining the temperature of their cluster in the hive. As long as they have adequate honey stores and moisture does not get in the they should make it through Winter but there are a few things to look for. These things include flights on warmer days and undertaker bees removing the bees that die each day. Sometimes you can hear the hum of the hive with or without a stethoscope pressed to the outside of the hive.

We are only a few weeks into winter but have had some extreme weather so far. Everything from 60 degree winds to a blanket of ice after a sleety storm. We had a few days below freezing followed by temps in the high forties. During the warmer days I was able to check on some of the colonies and each of these colonies had bees coming and going from the hive. When the temperature reaches 46-50 degrees Fahrenheit the bees will take cleansing flights to relieve themselves after being cooped up for days or weeks and forage if there is anything available to forage. So far all the hives are showing signs of activity. Unfortunately this includes dead bees at the entrance of the hive and on the ground around the hive. I was able to get a peek inside the Price Pl. hive this morning using a camera scope and the bees are clustered and seem to be doing what bees do in the cold which is to form a ball and vibrate their wings to create warmth for the cluster and the queen at the center. I will continue to monitor the bees throughout Winter and have some exciting plans for Spring that I will share along the way!