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941 days ago

What do Bees do in Winter?

Rod from Hive World Honey

What do bees do in winter?
Without blankets, fires, or adjustable thermostats, honeybees have to stick together pretty closely to stay warm (and alive) in the winter. When temperatures in the winter drop below 10 °C, honeybees retreat to their hives and form a winter cluster to keep warm—sort of like a giant three-month slumber party.
The fate of the hive depends on how sufficiently the winter population has prepared for the cold. To survive and keep warm, the hive must have a robust population of winter-ready bees, plentiful stores of honey to eat, and a secure hive.
A successful winter cluster is made up of a generation of bees with different physiological characteristics from those of the summer population—bees that are a bit more plump to keep up the heat and have a longer lifespan to last the whole winter (4–6 months instead of only a few weeks). The queen will stop laying if food supplies get low to conserve stores.
On warm winter days some bees will venture out in search of winter flowers and pollen. they also leave the hive to poop as the like to keep the hive clean.

Wasps and bumblebees on the other hand all die off except for the queen who will go into hibernation until spring.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Riddle Me That: Ready to Test Your Wits?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

If the prisoner tells a lie, he'll be hanged;
if he tells the truth, he'll be beheaded.
What can he say to save himself?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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12 hours ago

Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.

Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.

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Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
  • 67.1% Yes
    67.1% Complete
  • 30.5% No
    30.5% Complete
  • 2.4% Other - I'll share below
    2.4% Complete
882 votes
21 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.

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