December 27, 2008: In the 60s

With temperatures in the 60's, I was happy to see bees out and about, relieving their cabin fever (also relieving themselves of poop). There was a lot of activity around the entrances of both hives. They seemed happy about the nice weather (and so was I)!

December 14, 2008: Wintering bees

It hit 53 degrees today. I bought a machinist stethoscope for $7.00 on amazon to make sure the bees are still alive. I didn't need it for the Russians, as several were flying in and out of the hive, probably pooping. I removed the duct tape that covered the middle exit hole of the Italian hive, stuck in the stethoscope probe, and heard quite interesting buzzing noises. What a relief. Some Italians starting congregating around the hole, and I let them fly around a bit before re-covering with duct tape.

So it's mid-December, and my bees are still alive!!

What do bees do in the Winter?

When the temperature drops to 57° F, the bees begin to form a tight cluster. Within this cluster the brood (consisting of eggs, larvae, and pupae) is kept warm-about 93° F - with heat generated by the bees. The egg laying of the queen bee tapers off and may stop completely during October or November, even if pollen is stored in the combs. During cold winters, the colony is put to its severest test of endurance.

As temperatures drop, the bees draw closer together to conserve heat. The outer layer of bees is tightly compressed, insulating the bees within the cluster. As the temperature rises and falls, the cluster expands and contracts. The bees within the cluster have access to the food stores. During warm periods, the cluster shifts its position to cover new areas of comb containing honey. An extremely prolonged cold spell can prohibit cluster movement, and the bees may starve to death only inches away from honey.

The queen stays within the cluster and moves with it as it shifts position. Colonies that are well supplied with honey and pollen in the fall will begin to stimulatively feed the queen, and she begins egg laying during late December or early January-even in northern areas of the United States.

from http://maarec.cas.psu.edu/bkCD/HBBiology/seasonal_activit.htm