Bees Fanning

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Beekeepers have the privilege of witnessing honey bee activities that others never get to see. One example is “bees fanning”. Worker bees use their wings to create airflow – controlling internal hive temperatures and even aiding in colony communication. In this article, we’ll explore why honey bees fan, how beekeepers can recognize it and what if anything should be done.

Honey bee fanning on an empty frame to call other bees to their location.

Honey bee fanning is just one example of a special honey bee behavior that can have several purposes in colony life. In most cases, it does not represent a problem that a beekeeper needs to resolve. Sometimes, we just need to sit back and enjoy the show.

What Is Honey Bee Fanning?

When engaged in fanning, the worker bee stands on all 6 legs with her abdomen raised and her wings moving rapidly.

In this posture, air is moved (though the bee is stationary) and a group of bees working together can create a remarkable airflow into or out of the hive.

Purpose of Fanning Behavior

Those of us who have been keeping bees for a long time know that honey bees always have a reason for everything they do.

Diagnosing the reason for fanning behavior may require a little bit of guess work on your part. It occurs in several instances to facilitate:

  • air flow (temperature, humidity, odor)
  • communication
  • better colony health

Moving Air in/out of the Hive

When bees are making honey, excessive moisture can accumulate inside the hive. Fanning helps to move moist air out and bring fresh air inside – controlling humidity and reducing carbon dioxide levels.

Temperature regulation is important inside a hive. Developing bee brood (developing young) must be kept within a proper temperature range for survival. When bees fan, fresh cool air is directed into the hive entrance.

Removing foul or disturbing odors from the hive is another reason for fanning. Use of a bee smoker during hive inspections will result in a hum of bees flapping their wings.

Smoke affects bees by masking alarm pheromones. But, it should not harm the colony if done responsibly- that does not mean the bees will like it!

Also, some of the varroa mite treatments used by beekeepers will result in bees fanning to remove the odors. This is not cause for alarm.

Scenting honey bees fan to disperse pheromones of nasonov gland.

Communication

Honey bee fanning plays a large role in colony communication by use of bee pheromone dispersal. These chemical messengers relay information about colony status.

Attack or Alarm Signals

The reason why bees sting is to defend themselves or their colony. One tiny bee sting would not do much to ward off a predator. But what about a thousand stings?

This can be accomplished when guard bees use fanning to disperse alarm pheromones. The scent gland (Nasonov Gland) is located near the tip of the worker’s abdomen.

Alerted of a danger, workers will bend down the tip of the abdomen to expose the Nasonov gland. Vigorous wing fanning helps to disperse the pheromone and call other bees to the attack.

Navigation Purposes

Of course, attack mode is not the only time honey bees will fan for attention. It is common to see workers fanning at the hive entrance during orientation flights or cleansing flights.

Younger bees experiencing their first outside flights are aided in returning to the proper hive by sisters fanning near the hive opening.

Likewise, you may see fanning behavior near a very good food source. These girls are encouraging their colony mates to come take advantage of the nutritional bounty.

Role in Swarming

I think one of the most beautiful examples of honey bees fanning takes place during swarming. When a honey bee swarm leaves the hive, they usually stop at a transition spot for a brief time.

Then, they fly away to the location that has been chosen for their new home that was selected by scout bees.

The first bees to arrive at the new home will gather around the entrance and fan vigorously. This continues until all of the colony mates have arrived and entered.

For those of us who enjoy catching swarms from trees or shrubs – we all know the delight of trying to get the queen bee and a few workers in the catch box.

If you can do that, the other workers will fan to tell their sisters to come on down. In most cases, if you catch the queen – you can catch the rest – the bees will do it for you.

Group of bees flapping wings to move air into the hive.

Colony Health

In addition to controlling hive temperatures, having fresh air move through the hive promotes colony health. Proper moisture levels help reduce the chances of mold and fungal diseases.

What Beekeepers Should Watch For

Sometimes, fanning behavior represents a difficulty and you may be able to aid your bees. For instance, excessive fanning during hot weather may be a signal that you need to provide more hive ventilation for the colony. Perhaps, they are just trying to bring in fresh air.

It can also be a sign of overcrowding in the hive – especially during late Spring when colony growth is rapid.

A beehive inspection is needed to discern whether to split the beehive or give them an additional box for more room.

But, in many cases, bee fanning is just a beautiful behavior to watch and enjoy. When requeening a beehive, the bees will fan in excitement and in response to her new pheromones.

The bees are communicating and with a little practice you may be able to guess what they are trying to say.

FAQs

Why are my bees fanning?

Honey bee fanning helps regulate hive temperature, control humidity, disperse pheromones, and remove odors. It’s a vital behavior that ensures the colony’s health and survival.

Do all honey bees in the hive fan?

No, only worker bees participate in fanning. Queen bees and drones do not fan.

How can I tell if my bees are fanning?

Bees engaged in fanning stand still with their abdomens raised and wings vibrating rapidly. You’ll often see groups of bees working together, especially near the hive entrance.

Does fanning always mean that the beekeeper needs to do something?

No, fanning is a natural honey bee behavior and in most cases the beekeeper does not need to take action.

Final Words

Sometimes, I find myself too busy to take advantage of the little things that bees do – like just standing there are watching the bee fanning or performing some other behavior. Yet, I encourage you to stop and watch more often. We don’t always need to do something in order to make things better for our honey bees.

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