03/30/2026
We actually had THREE out of 13 colonies of bees make it through the winter! 🙌🏼 It’s the first time in yearssssss we’ve had any make it. But man, were they angry. We all got stung - including the dog (poor girl! - she’s fine). It’s the first time I’ve ever smelled the “banana” pheromone - which is their signal to attack. 😳 Eeek!
Why don’t bees live through the winter? It’s a major problem for beekeepers and there are many factors that can play a part:
— Climate change — 30+ degree swings in daytime temps can confuse the bees on what season it is and break the cluster of keeping the queen warm enough
— Starvation — if they didn’t store enough honey going into winter (we always leave our bees plenty of honey)
— Varroa mites — parasites that weaken bees and spread viruses
— Moisture/condensation — cold wet conditions are more deadly than cold dry ones
— Colony collapse disorder — a broader phenomenon tied to pesticides, pathogens, and habitat loss
— Small colonies — too few bees can’t generate enough warmth
Scary stuff, when we need bees to survive.
Boneafied.com
