Thermal image of honey bee cluster locations Ever wonder what our bees are doing during winter storms and extreme cold events? While we are stressing over groceries, driveway salt, and generators, our bees made their winter contingency plan months ago, long before the first frost. Honey bees are spending this time in their winter cluster. Imagine a tightly packed ball of bees, dissected by sheets of honeycomb, which serves as both a food source and a structure for warmth. The outer layer of...

The winter solstice signals a subtle turning point in beekeeping. Learn how changing daylight affects honeybee behavior and why this moment matters to both the hive and keeper.