What do Bees do in Winter?
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.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.7% Second half of November
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43.5% 1st December
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17.6% A week before Christmas
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33.1% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
Today’s Riddle – Can You Outsmart Your Neighbours?
First you eat me, then you get eaten. What am I?
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.
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Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.7% Yes
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14.4% No
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2.8% Other - I'll share below
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