Celebrating Our Bee Survival: Thriving Through the Winter Months

Winter is a challenging season for bees. The cold temperatures, limited food sources, and harsh weather conditions put immense pressure on their survival. Yet, our bees have made it through the winter! All three hives are noisy boxes of promise. The last few days have been much warmer than the first few weeks in February and they are starting to venture out, not so much, however, that it prevents getting close enough to put an ear to the side of the hive to listen in. Very pleased to report that we've not lost any this year, which is a stark contrast to how we headed into Spring in 2025!

Spring honey is, as a result of the difficulties getting through winter, much rarer than summer honey, so we're hoping we can have a much bigger crop this year and be able to capitalise more on the potential for oil see rape honey, which we missed last year.

The question one naturally asks is, what did we do different this year? As readers might have seen on blog posts at the latter end of last year, we invested in some of the Abelo polyfeeders, which provided an excellent layer of insulation on the top, and we bought some polystyrene boards, cut to size, and placed those in spare supers underneath. Focussing on keeping them warm was the one thing we didn't do last year. In these new feeders we fed them an ENROMOUS amount of sugar syrup (they kept consuming more and more) and then finished off with a couple of kilos of commerical bakers fondant on each hive, so they were well fed. And of course the usual varoa treatment.

The bees have been cleaning out the plastic wrapping around the fondant. They are quite particular about what they want in the hive

Mess left by the bees!

Unfortunately the wet weather has caused the ground to become a lot more soggy, leading to some worrying leaning on a couple of the hives. Need a strategy to manage this! :

This winter success is a cause for celebration and reflection on the resilience of these vital pollinators. In this post, we explore how bees survive winter, the signs of a thriving colony, and what this means for the coming seasons.

Bee cluster inside hive during winter, close-up view

How Bees Survive the Winter

Bees do not hibernate like some animals. Instead, they stay active inside their hive, forming a tight cluster to keep warm. This cluster can include thousands of bees, all working together to maintain a temperature around 32°C in the centre. The bees on the outside of the cluster insulate those inside, rotating positions to share the warmth.

To fuel this effort, bees rely on honey stores they collected during the warmer months and sugar/fondant supplied by beekeepers. This provides the energy needed to generate heat by vibrating their flight muscles. Without enough food, the colony risks starvation before spring arrives.

Signs of a Thriving Winter Colony

When spring comes, the first sign that a colony survived winter well is the presence of active bees. Here are some indicators that the bees are thriving:

• Strong cluster size: A large cluster means many bees survived, which supports colony growth.

• Healthy queen activity: The queen resumes laying eggs, increasing the population.

• Clean hive interior: Bees maintain the hive by removing debris and dead bees.

• Honey stores remain: Adequate honey reserves indicate good preparation and survival.

• Buzzing sounds: Active bees produce a steady hum inside the hive.

  
  

Observing these signs confirms that the colony is ready to expand and pollinate plants in the upcoming months, however at this point we shouldn't be opening the hives for a full inspection because the nights are still cold. They get as angry as I do when the children leave the back door open and all the heat escapes!

The Importance of Winter Survival for Pollination

Bees play a crucial role in pollinating many crops and wild plants. Their survival through winter directly impacts the health of ecosystems and food production. A strong colony in spring means:

• Better pollination of fruit trees, vegetables, and flowers.

• Increased honey production during the warmer months.

• Support for biodiversity by helping native plants reproduce.

  
  

Our bees’ survival is not just a win for the hive but for the environment and agriculture as a whole.

How We Support Our Bees Through Winter

Ensuring bees survive winter takes preparation and care. Here are some practical steps we take to support our colonies:

• Providing ample honey stores: We monitor honey levels and add supplemental feeding if needed.

• Protecting hives from wind and moisture: Placing hives in sheltered locations reduces stress.

• Maintaining hive insulation: Adding insulation materials helps keep the cluster warm.

• Regular health checks: We inspect hives for signs of disease or pests before winter.

• Minimizing disturbances: Limiting hive openings during cold months prevents heat loss.

  
  

These actions improve the chances that our bees will thrive through winter and emerge strong in spring.

Preparing for the Season Ahead

With winter behind us, it’s time to plan for the busy months ahead. Here’s what we focus on next:

• Hive inspections: Checking for queen health and brood development.

• Swarm prevention: Managing colony size to avoid losing bees.

• Planting pollinator-friendly flowers: Providing abundant nectar and pollen sources.

• Monitoring for pests: Keeping an eye on mites and other threats.

• Harvesting honey responsibly: Ensuring enough honey remains for the next winter.

  
  

By staying attentive and proactive, we help our bees continue to thrive and support the environment.

Our bees’ survival through winter is a powerful reminder of nature’s resilience and the importance of careful stewardship. Watching the colony grow stronger each day inspires us to keep learning and improving our care. If you keep bees or are interested in supporting pollinators, consider how you can help them prepare for winter and thrive year-round.