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How Bees in the UK Survive Winter: Nature’s Resilience and Beekeepers’ Role in Freezing Weather

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As winter grips the UK, with icy cold weather blanketing the countryside, the question of how bees survive such harsh conditions becomes ever more relevant. Honeybees, integral to our ecosystem, have fascinating natural strategies for enduring the winter months. However, with increasingly unpredictable winters, the support of beekeepers is critical to ensure their survival. Let’s explore how bees survive winter, how beekeepers help, and what steps are particularly vital during extreme cold spells.



DunnyBees Apiary, January 2025
DunnyBees Apiary, January 2025

 

How Bees Naturally Survive Winter

 

Unlike many insects that die off or hibernate, honeybees remain active within their hives during the winter. However, their activity changes dramatically as they focus solely on survival rather than foraging or reproduction. Here’s how:

 

1. Forming a Winter Cluster

 

When temperatures drop below 10°C, honeybees gather tightly together in the hive to form a “winter cluster.” At the center of this cluster, the queen is kept warm, surrounded by worker bees that generate heat by vibrating their flight muscles.


  • Temperature Maintenance: Bees maintain the core temperature of the cluster at around 20-35°C, depending on the hive’s activity level. The outer bees act as insulation, rotating with inner bees to prevent freezing.


  • Energy Conservation: Bees minimize movement to conserve energy, which comes from stored honey.

 

2. Relying on Honey Stores

 

During the summer and autumn, bees work tirelessly to build up their honey reserves. This stored honey is their primary food source during winter, providing the energy needed to generate heat and sustain the colony.

 

3. Minimal Activity

 

Unlike in warmer months, bees reduce their activity in winter, flying out only occasionally on milder days to expel waste (a behavior known as a “cleansing flight”).

 




How Beekeepers Help Bees During Winter

 

While bees are remarkably self-sufficient, they face increasing challenges in modern winters, including extreme cold, food shortages, and disease. Beekeepers play a crucial role in ensuring their survival, especially during severe weather like the icy conditions currently gripping the UK.

 

1. Ensuring Adequate Food Supplies

 

A key responsibility of beekeepers is checking that hives have enough honey to sustain the colony through winter. If stores are low, they may supplement with:


  • Sugar Syrup: A common substitute in autumn, though less practical in deep winter due to freezing temperatures.


  • Fondant or Candy Boards: Solid sugar solutions that provide emergency food for bees when temperatures are too cold for liquid feeding.

 

2. Providing Insulation and Shelter

 

Beekeepers can improve the hive’s insulation to protect bees from the freezing weather. This includes:


  • Wrapping Hives: Using breathable materials to wrap hives and shield them from wind and snow.


  • Positioning: Placing hives in sunny, sheltered locations and off the ground to reduce exposure to dampness.


  • Ventilation: Ensuring proper airflow to prevent moisture buildup, which can be fatal to bees in freezing temperatures.

 

3. Monitoring for Pests and Diseases

 

Winter is a vulnerable time for hives, particularly due to pests like the Varroa mite or diseases such as Nosema. Beekeepers regularly monitor hives and apply treatments if needed to maintain the bees’ health.

 

4. Reducing Disturbances
 

Bees need stability during winter to maintain their cluster and conserve energy. Beekeepers minimize hive inspections and only intervene if absolutely necessary.

 


DunnyBees Apiary, January 2025
DunnyBees Apiary, January 2025


Special Considerations for Current Icy Cold Weather

 

With the UK experiencing particularly harsh conditions this winter, additional measures are crucial to protect bees:

 

1. Emergency Feeding

 

Beekeepers should check hives for signs of starvation, such as dead bees near the entrance or inside the hive. Adding fondant directly above the cluster can provide a lifeline during freezing temperatures.

 

2. Clearing Entrances

 

Snow and ice can block hive entrances, preventing bees from accessing ventilation or taking cleansing flights. Beekeepers must ensure entrances remain clear without exposing the hive to drafts.

 

3. Guarding Against Damp
 

Cold weather combined with dampness is a deadly combination for bees. Beekeepers can tilt hives slightly

 


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