The Latest Buzz #1

December – Below Zero Nights & A Cozy Hive

Winter delivered a real blast of cold this month, with temperatures dropping just below zero! While we stayed warm inside, our bees were tucked into their hive, working together to survive the deep freeze.

As mentioned before, even on the harshest nights, honeybees don’t hibernate. They stay clustered tightly around their queen, vibrating their wing muscles to generate heat - like a tiny living furnace. The bees on the outside take turns rotating inward so nobody stays in the cold for too long. It’s teamwork at its finest!

This week, we did a quick winter check-in. Outside the entrances, we swept away the small pile of dead bees that naturally collect this time of year. It may look sad at first glance, but it’s actually a healthy sign that the colony is doing what it’s supposed to do. Older bees sacrifice themselves so the hive can focus on protecting the queen, their younger sisters, and the colony’s future.

A quick glance at the top of the hive can also provide important clues about how well our bees are staying warm. When snow falls and accumulates on the outer cover, it acts like an extra layer of insulation. If the snow remains on top after a snowfall, it means the heat is staying inside the hive where the bees need it most. However, if temperatures are still below freezing and the snow on the roof starts melting, that indicates heat is escaping - and that could put the bees at risk of getting too cold. Fortunately, our hive is keeping its warmth right where it belongs, and that layer of snow is helping protect the colony all winter long.

Next, we focused on the activity inside. To avoid opening the hives and letting the precious heat escape, we use a stethoscope to listen instead. Pressed gently against the hive wall, we could hear that soft, steady hum - the heartbeat of the colony. It’s a reassuring sound that means they are still clustered tight and doing just fine now that winter has officially arrived.

For now, the bees are continuing to eat through the honey they worked so hard to store all summer. As long as the weather doesn’t stay brutally cold for too long, they’ll carry themselves into spring, ready for blooming flowers and blue skies.

Even under blankets of snow, life in the hive continues - warm, busy, and full of hope. We’ll keep cheering them on through the winter and sharing updates as we go!

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The Latest Buzz will be a series offering gentle check-ins from the hive(s) here at Stone Lions Farm. Each update reflects the season, the bees, and the quiet work happening in between. Check back for more as the year unfolds.