Honey bees don't hibernate but huddle together in a cluster for warmth. As they are awake and active, moving their wings constantly to create warmth, they need to eat, and you know what you need to do after you have eaten.
Bees probably don't eat so much in the Winter as they do in Summer, but they do eat and so they do need to get rid of waste matter, something they can't do when the weather is too cold. They need to get out to 'void' at least once every ten days otherwise the inside of the hive gets messy and the risk of disease and infection increases.
My bees have been flying, too. I've just fed them some candy, and it was wonderful to lift the roof of the hive and see them again after so many weeks. I just don't think the feeling was mutual...
ReplyDeleteWe plan to give our bees more fondant this weekend, as there's cold weather forecast. We want them to have the energy to keep warm. Hope it won't last too long.
ReplyDeleteUnlike chickens, bees show no appreciation when you feed them, do they? Still, with a bit of luck they will show their appreciation in the summer with some nice honey.