Lone Star Bee Co.
  • Our Story
  • Ingredients
  • Recipes
  • Shop Online
  • Retailers
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Our Story
  • Ingredients
  • Recipes
  • Shop Online
  • Retailers
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

Blog


Honey Bees Working to Keep Their Hive Cool in Warm Months

5/25/2017

0 Comments

 
Honey Bee Hive
Honey bees gather on the landing board to fan their wings in an effort to circulate air inside the hive and regulate the hive temperature.

We humans are so lucky to have air conditioning in the summertime, especially here in southeast Texas, where on average high temperatures can reach more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit several times each year.  Bees, on the other hand, have to work to keep their hives at a perfect temperature to ensure proper development of their brood; between about 91 and 97 Fahrenheit.

Honey bees are very efficient in cooling their hives. One method bees use is to position themselves along the landing board in the front of their hive and energetically fan their wings to draw air outside the hive and create air circulation within the hive.  The bees will also bring extra water into their hive to keep it cool.  They may bring up to a gallon of water in one day and distribute it around the hive to function as a coolant.

Bees also regulate the hive temperature by working as a team and clustering together on the outside of their hive.  This phenomenon is called “bearding”.  Bearding together outside the hive helps to prevent congestion inside the hive, removing extra body heat and lowering the internal hive temperature.

We beekeepers also have a role in assisting the bees in keeping their hive cool.  First, when we originally installed our hives, we strategically positioned them along a mature tree line so that the afternoon sun is blocked by shade from the trees.  Second, we use a screened inner cover instead of a solid wooden cover inside the top of the hives, which allows for inflow of air.  On steamy days, hot air has a better chance to escape.  These strategies keep the bees from having to work as hard to regulate the hive temperature.

Hive temperature regulation is very important all year long, and as we approach another hot summer, we will keep a close eye on our hives to be certain they remain healthy in the bee yard.  
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Nicki Praiswater is co-founder and co-owner of Lone Star Bee Company alongside her life-partner, Mark Crippen.  Together, they both enjoy beekeeping, traveling and eating great foods.   

    Nicki also authors a beekeeping blog to share their bee yard activities.

    Archives

    September 2022
    August 2022
    December 2021
    May 2021
    November 2020
    July 2020
    February 2020
    August 2019
    July 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016

© 2023  |  Lone Star Bee Company, LLC  |  All rights reserved.