7 Things That Happen Inside a Beehive You Didn't Know

The inner workings of beehives are as impressive as the bees themselves. Here are 7 things that happen inside a bee hive that you may not have known about!

Within the beehive, bees build and maintain wax comb, collect and store food, regulate temperature and humidity, raise young, and protect their hive. Additionally, they communicate with one another through dancing and even clean house by removing dead bees and waste products.

Inside the beehive, the bees are busy! From developing a wax comb to reproducing, they are constantly working to create a thriving colony. Continue to read to learn more!

7 Secrets Happening Inside a Beehive

1. Brood Care

The worker bees tend to the eggs and larvae, feeding and cleaning the hive. The queen bee lays eggs in the cells of the hive, and the worker bees take care of the eggs and larvae until they reach adulthood.

The brood care inside a beehive is the responsibility of the worker bees and the queen bee. The worker bees are responsible for feeding, cleaning, and protecting the brood, and the queen is responsible for laying eggs and ensuring the health of the colony.

First, the worker bees clean the inside of the hive, removing any debris and old wax that could interfere with the development of the brood. They also feed the larvae with a mixture of honey, pollen, and nectar.

As the larvae grow, the worker bees move them to larger cells to make room for more eggs. The queen bee is the most important in the hive and is responsible for laying eggs that will become the future workers of the hive. She lays eggs in the cells that the worker bees have prepared and then seals them with a special wax called "royal jelly."

Once the eggs are sealed, the worker bees take over the responsibility of caring for the eggs until they hatch. Once the eggs hatch, the worker bees feed the larvae with a mixture of honey and pollen until they are ready to emerge as adult bees. The worker bees also groom and protect the larvae until they are ready to leave the hive.

2. Pollination

Pollination is an important job that the bees do in the hive. The worker bees collect nectar and pollen from flowers, which they then use to make honey. The honey is then stored in the hive as a food source for the colony.

Pollination is an essential part of the life cycle of a beehive. It not only helps in producing honey but also helps in the growth and development of other plants.

• Inside the beehive, worker bees collect nectar from flowers and transfer it to the queen bee.
• The queen bee then stores the nectar in her special stomach.
• The worker bees then fly out to other flowers and pollinate them with the nectar.
• They also collect pollen which is then fed to the larvae in the beehive. This process helps in the growth and development of the beehive.
• When the queen bee is done producing honey, she then signals the worker bees to collect the honey and bring it back to the hive. This process helps in ensuring the health of the beehive and the production of honey.

  

3. Hive Maintenance

The workers also take care of the hive, cleaning and repairing the cells, and making sure the hive is kept in good condition. The worker bees in a beehive are responsible for the maintenance of the hive. They play a crucial role in the bee colony’s survival by keeping the hive in good condition.

• They also inspect the cells to ensure that they are free of debris, mold, and parasites.
• In addition, the workers repair any damaged cells, removing old wax and replacing it with fresh wax to maintain the integrity of the cells.
• They also patrol the hive looking for any signs of infestation or disease.
• The workers also perform regular hive inspections to make sure that the hive is healthy and functioning properly. This includes checking for any signs of disease, such as mites, and any other pests that might be present.
• The workers also make sure that the hive is well-ventilated, ensuring that the temperature and humidity levels are at optimal levels.
• The workers also check for any signs of nutrition deficiency and will feed the hive if needed.
• They also groom the queen bee, which helps to keep her healthy and productive.

Overall, the workers of a beehive are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the hive.

4. Temperature Regulation

The temperature of the hive is usually between 93°F and 98°F. The bees also control the temperature of the hive by clustering together in a ball. The bees will cluster together in a ball and vibrate their wings, creating heat.

To keep the hive at the right temperature, the bees use their wings to fan the air and circulate it around the hive. This helps to keep the hive at a comfortable temperature for the bees.

When the temperature outside of the hive gets too hot or too cold, the bees will move to different parts of the hive. For example, when the temperature outside is too hot, the bees will move to the top of the hive, where it is cooler.

The bees also use the hive’s ventilation system to help regulate the temperature. The ventilation system helps to move air throughout the hive and keeps the temperature at a comfortable level.

Finally, the bees also use propolis to help protect the hive from temperature changes. Propolis is a sticky resin that bees make from plant material. They use it to seal off cracks and openings in the hive, which can help to keep the temperature inside the hive at a comfortable level.

In conclusion, bees use a variety of methods to keep the temperature of the hive at a comfortable level.

5. Communication

Bees communicate with each other by performing a “waggle dance”. This is a dance that communicates information about the location of food sources to the rest of the colony.

The bee's waggle dance is an intricate communication system within a beehive. It is a form of communication that allows the bees to share information about food sources, potential threats, and other important areas of interest.

The waggle dance consists of a series of movements, including figure-eight patterns, circles, and figure-four patterns. Depending on the direction of the dance and the intensity of the movements, the bee can communicate different messages to the rest of the colony.

For example, if the bee dances in a clockwise circle, it may be communicating the location of a food source. If the bee moves in an anticlockwise circle, it may be communicating that something is wrong.

The bee's waggle dance is an important part of communication within a beehive, as it allows the bees to share important information without the need for vocal communication. It is also an important tool for the survival of the colony, as the bees can quickly and accurately share the location of food sources and potential threats.

6. Defense

The defense of a beehive is a complex and fascinating system.
Using their Stings
Bees use their stings to defend the hive from predators, as well as to ward off any intruders. The stings contain a venomous, irritating substance that can cause swelling, itching, and pain in the affected area. This venom is also responsible for killing or incapacitating any intruder that may threaten the hive or its inhabitants.

Wings
Bees also have several other defensive strategies at their disposal. They can use their wings to create a buzzing sound to scare away predators, and their antennae to detect the presence of other animals.

Bee Ball
If the hive is threatened, the bees may also form a “bee ball” in which they surround the intruder and vibrate their wings to generate heat and suffocate the intruder.

Mandibles
The bees also use their mandibles to cut and tear into any potential predators that may try to enter the hive. This defensive measure can be quite effective, as it can easily cause serious injury or death to any intruder.

Bee Glue
In addition to the physical defense of the hive, the bees also use chemical defense. They secrete a special odor known as “bee glue” which acts as an adhesive and helps to keep potential invaders away.

7. Making wax and honeycomb

Bees are incredible creatures that produce wax and honeycomb as part of their natural process. Bees produce wax from four glands located on their abdomens. The wax is used to build their honeycomb, which is a structure that houses their larvae, stores the honey they produce, provides a home for the colony, and helps to regulate temperature.

Bees use the wax to construct cells that are hexagonal in shape. This structure is incredibly strong and helps to protect the colony from predators and bad weather. The hexagonal shape also uses the least amount of wax and provides the most efficient storage space for honey.

The beehive is a fascinating structure filled with an incredible amount of activity and work. It's amazing to see just how much happens inside a beehive and the role each bee plays in the hive's success. It's a marvel of nature that deserves to be appreciated.