How do bees indicate that honey is ready to be capped?

Bees indicate that honey is ready to be capped primarily by reducing the moisture content of the honey to less than 18%. This process is crucial because honey must have low moisture levels to prevent fermentation and spoilage. Once the water content is adequately reduced, bees recognize that the honey has reached a stable state suitable for long-term storage. They then proceed to cap the honeycomb cells with wax, sealing it off to maintain optimal conditions.

This capping behavior serves as a signal to the hive that the honey is ready for future use, particularly as food during winter months or times when foraging is not possible. The reduction of moisture is a sign of ripeness, and it is this specific condition that prompts the bees to cap the honeycomb. Other choices do not directly correlate with the readiness of honey for capping and serve different purposes related to hive activity rather than indicating honey maturation.