Preparing for Winter

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Preparing for Winter Video

Honey bees prepare for winter in several ways to ensure the survival of the colony:

1. Honey Storage: Bees work hard in the warmer months to collect nectar and pollen, which they convert into honey. This stored honey serves as their primary food source during winter when foraging is impossible.
2. Reducing Activity: As the temperature drops, honey bees become less active. The queen reduces her egg-laying, and the colony's population decreases, as fewer worker bees are needed to maintain the hive.
3. Forming a Cluster: To stay warm, bees form a tight cluster around the queen in the hive. The outer bees shiver their flight muscles to generate heat, while the bees in the center of the cluster stay warm. The cluster moves around the hive as needed to access stored honey.
4. Sealing the Hive: Bees use propolis (a resinous substance) to seal any cracks in the hive, insulating it against cold drafts. This helps maintain the temperature inside the hive.
5. Expelling Drones: Drones (male bees) are typically expelled from the hive before winter because they do not contribute to the survival of the colony. This conserves resources like honey for the worker bees and the queen.

These strategies help the colony survive through the cold months until the warmer weather returns and flowers begin blooming again.

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