Honey Bee Behavior

Changes in honey bee behavior can surprise even seasoned beekeepers. Just when we think we know why bees do what they do, a colony’s activity, mood, and defensiveness can seem unpredictable. In this guide, you’ll learn key internal and external factors that influence a colony’s attitude on any given day, making beekeeping a more rewarding experience.

One of the first lessons I learned as a beekeeper was that every hive is unique. With experience, though, you’ll have a much better sense of what to expect when opening a colony for routine beehive management.

Understanding the Influences on Honey Bee Behavior

Many actions taken by honey bees, both individually and as a colony, are genetically programmed. Bees don’t need to learn how to make beeswax or build honeycomb—they instinctively know. Still, internal hive conditions and external factors push them to adapt their actions and responses.

Internal Factors that Shape Behavior

Many of the internal factors that affect bee behavior are things we can not see. However, we can see the results of the stimuli – often between hives in the same apiary.

Bee Genetics

Different types of honey bees or breeds are genetically predisposed to have certain traits or behavior. Tendencies for foraging, disease resistance and defensiveness can all be a product of genetics.

Pheromones and Hormones

Some honey bee actions are in response to bee pheromones. These chemical messengers share information on colony conditions at lighting speed.  Queen, workers and brood pheromones all relay information about colony status.

For instance, a healthy, productive queen bee fulfilling her role as egg layer signals that all is well. But if her pheromone levels weaken or suddenly disappear, the colony senses that something is wrong.

The workers may then initiate plans to replace her. Bees often kill the failing queen and start queen cells to raise a new monarch.

Hormones in developing bees inform the colony about the status of the upcoming workforce. Combined with the hive’s needs, these hormones influence the rate at which young adults mature. In worker bees, this affects when their jobs change.

Population – Age and Caste

The population of a colony affects its “attitude” too. That is why I love working with my small family nucleus hives. In general, small colonies tend to be less defensive and more forgiving during my intrusions into their abode.

A hive with a large population tends to be more defensive and easier to aggravate. They also have more guard bees to protect their home.

Health of the Hive

Colony health plays a large role in bee behavior too. A hive that is plagued by pests and disease realizes that something is wrong. Their frustration in trying to solve the problem results in a more defensive attitude.

Beekeepers who monitor pest levels promoting keep healthy bees will be rewarded with less stress on their hives.

Nutrition and Food Stores

The nutritional health of individual bees impacts the entire colony. If a hive inspection reveals no stored food, your bees are likely on the brink of starvation, which can make them irritable and defensive.

A lack of food may also lead to unusual behaviors, such as the bees consuming some of their brood. This makes sense—if there isn’t enough food to raise the brood to maturity, the bees might resort to cannibalism for protein.

When you find a struggling colony, feeding sugar water to your bees is a good emergency option to help them get back on track.

External Factors and Threats

External factors also influence bee behavior. While much of the hive’s activity happens internally, foragers must venture outside- these bees collect the necessary resources, such as nectar and pollen.

Seasonal Cycles

The activities of honey bees have a yearly ebb and flow. Colony expansion in Spring leads to large work forces and possible bee swarming. This is nature’s way to creating more colonies.

A hot, dry Summer can cause a nectar dearth – a time when nectar and pollen are sparse. The hive may reduce brood production or stop all together. We can not always blame a lack of brood on the queen.

When Fall approaches, bees know that Winter is coming soon. Most colonies will reduce the brood nest and spend every warm day collecting food.

I notice that my hives focus especially on pollen collection in the Fall. They will need to stored pollen or bee bread for brood rearing in late Winter.

Fall is the time of year when a beekeeper may notice more aggressive hives. They feel a bit on edge knowing that Winter is coming and they must protect their stored honey from predators – even us!

Reactions to Hive Disturbances

Disturbances trigger reactions from bees. For example, a predator like a bear, skunk, or raccoon scratching around the hive in search of a “bee happy meal” can set off alarm.

Even if the hive isn’t damaged, guard bees will work to repel the intruder, keeping the colony on high alert.

Beekeepers cause hive disturbances too. Okay, sometimes we have to – right! Yet, it is a good idea to be as smooth and gentle as possible during hive manipulations. And, don’t go in the hive too often.

Environmental Toxins May Cause a Reaction

One thing we can not control is where our bees fly. Foraging bees are exposed to environmental toxins, pesticides and other poisons that can do major damage.

Colonies placed in or near agriculture fields often experience a loss of many field bees that are exposed to pesticides.

Beekeeper Tips for Responding to Behavioral Changes

A good beekeeper is always alert to changes in behavior. Sometimes, there’s no issue, and things resolve on their own. However, there will be times when adjusting hive management practices is necessary.

Change in Foraging

A noticeable change in bee activity at the hive entrance, might simply bee due to a temporary decline in nectar. But, if one colony is performing drastically different from the rest – you need to have a closer look.

Inspect the colony in question – verify that a queen bee is present and the colony has a good brood pattern. Check food stores too – it is important to feed bees when conditions warrant.

Identify Changes in Brood Pattern

Seasonal changes in the amount of brood in a colony is normal. But, a drastic reduction in brood during a time of good weather and ample resources is cause for concern.

Spotty irregular brood may indicate a failing queen. You should consider requeening the hive (replacing her with a mated queen) to avoid lost time waiting for natural requeening.

Ventilation and Temperature

On a warm, muggy day you find your bees hanging in clumps on the hive entrance. This is called bearding bees and is a response to weather. Foragers are clinging outside the hive to aid in reducing internal temperatures.

Often, this behavior cleans up with the weather moderates. However, check to ensure good hive ventilation and consider adding more – perhaps a couple of craft sticks or pennies to raise the outer lid up just a bit.

FAQs

A Final Word

Understand and responding to honey bee behavior is an important beekeeping skill. Regularly observing cues like changes in foraging, health or aggression allows beekeepers to adjust. You have the chance to make your best guess about what is happening and why. Perhaps, there is more you can do to help your colonies thrive.