What happens to bees in a hive when the temperature drops below 57 degrees?

When the temperature drops below 57 degrees Fahrenheit, bees begin to cluster together to maintain warmth. This clustering behavior is a crucial survival strategy for honeybees during colder temperatures. The worker bees will form a tight ball around the queen in the center, using their collective body heat to regulate the temperature within the cluster.

This clustering is vital for the survival of the hive, as it helps to keep the queen and developing brood warm in the otherwise chilly environment. This behavior can occur during winter months and also during unseasonably cold spells throughout the year.

In contrast, foraging stops as bees are unable to function effectively at lower temperatures; they do not swarm as this typically occurs in spring or summer under different conditions; and they do not hibernate like some other insects; bees remain active at a reduced level during the colder months, engaging in behaviors essential for their survival rather than entering a hibernation state.