Can Bees Hibernate?

Everyone associates the buzzing of bees with the spring or summertime. During these times of the year, bees and all other types of stinging insects are in full force, oftentimes through the fall. But what happens when winter rolls around? With our frigid temperatures here in Vermont, it’s hard to believe any insect survives the winter. Believe it or not, certain types of bees can indeed survive through the winter months depending on how low temperatures drop. Read on to learn all you need to know about winter bees with the experts at Vermont Pest Control.

Which Bees Hibernate in the Winter?

After certain bee species peak in the late summer or early fall, they can seemingly disappear. Typically, any temperatures that dip below 50°F will disable bees from being as active as they are in the summer.

There are three bees common to Vermont that all react to winter temperatures in differing ways:

1. Honey bees: In order to survive the winter, a honeybee population must have an already robust population with a secure hive and plentiful stores of honey. Male honey bees die off, leaving the female bees to crowd tightly together in their hive with the queen in the middle. The female worker bees will vibrate and shiver around the queen bee, keeping alive until warmer days return.
2. Bumblebees: All bumblebees in a colony except the queen will die off when temperatures become inhospitable. The queen bees will “overwinter”, or hibernate, by digging small holes into the dirt or in hollow logs to keep warm.
3. Carpenter bees: These wood-destroying bees can hibernate through the winter in their nests. Young carpenter bees that hatched in the late summer months will return to their nests in the winter to hibernate. Older bees will die during the summer after larvae are laid.

Winter Bee Prevention Tips

While you don’t need to worry about a full-blown infestation in the winter, it’s a great time to start preparing for the months ahead. Before bees become active in the spring, here’s what to do:

• Seal cracks and crevices around the exterior of your property to keep pests from getting indoors..
• Plant your gardens far away from your property, or stick to grasses and non-flowering shrubs.
• Mow your lawn regularly and avoid letting areas become overgrown.
• Install tight-fitting screens on your windows and doors.
• Fill in holes in the yard left by animals to get rid of nesting sites for bees and other wasps.
• Invest in tight-fitting lids for outdoor trash and recycling cans.

Need Advice on Bee Control in Vermont?

If you’re dealing with bee problems any time of year, it’s important to reach out to your local experts in bee control. Our experts can help pinpoint areas around your property that may harbor nests or overwintering stinging insects. We also can help better prepare you for the pests come spring and summer. Contact us today to get started!