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Do Bees Hibernate?

Posted on February 2, 2023 12:00 AM

When the weather turns cold, it’s no surprise that some animals hibernate. Sometimes we find ourselves hibernating, seeking warmth out of the cold temperatures. But what about our pollinators? Do bees hibernate? You may have noticed that bees aren’t prevalent during the cold weather months, but are they hibernating? According to the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, how a bee spends the winter depends on the species of bee. Bees will burrow, gather in tight clusters, or hide in flower stems or leaf piles to stay warm. 

When temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit honey bees return to their hives. There they gather in tight clusters to protect themselves and their queen. They even shiver and contract muscles that power their wings to create heat. The bees will continue to rotate to stay warm, the center of their gathering can remain at or around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. 

When the temperature rises the bees may momentarily leave the hive. 

For more information on bees click here