Bumblebee VS Honey Bee in Ocala, FL; Hibernation During Winter, Spring Stinging Insect Activity & More

It’s no secret that bees are what keep our world turning. They allow us to have the food to sustain us with their key role in the pollinating process. Have you ever wondered what happens to them in the winter? The answer depends on what type of bee you are talking about. Honey bees and bumble bees have different behaviors when it comes to the winter months. Now that the weather is warming up, Pest 911 is here to talk about the difference between honey bees and bumble bees in the winter and when you can plan on seeing them emerge for the summer.

Do Honey Bees Hibernate During the Winter?

You will not see honey bees during the winter because of the obvious drop in temperature. They will not be hibernating, however. They will be huddled together inside their hive, keeping each other and their nest warm. There is an absence of males, but the females will hold down the fort until spring approaches and they can become more active.

Do Bumble Bees Hibernate or Die During the Winter?

There are only a small number of bumble bees that will make it through the coldest months of the year. The entire colony will die except for the young queen bees. They have to find a mate and build up fat reserves so they can survive the winter and hibernate. You might find a hibernating bumble bee inside a pile of compost, or along the bank of a river. They usually seek out a North West facing position because of the abundance of shade present. Gardeners need to be aware that they may run into a hibernating bee if they are working in their garden during the early spring.

Spring Activity for Bumble Bees and Honey Bees

As we start to get a taste of warmer weather and longer days, you start to notice the world awakening from winter’s slumber. This isn’t any different for bees. Bumble bees and honey bees will start to awaken and the new abundance of pollen and nectar will help their colonies increase at an alarmingly fast rate. The queens will start to lay drone eggs and this is when you will notice the hives start to come alive. During early summer, the colony will be at its strongest and then starts the process of storing honey for the winter. They will work together to prepare for winter all through the summer months.

Honeybee VS Bumblebee Stings

Honeybees can only sting once and die in the process. When a honeybee stings you, she leaves her stinger as well as part of her reproductive system as well which consists of muscles and toxins. After a honeybee stings, these muscles writhe around and push the stinger deeper as well as squeezes the toxins which hurts even more! A bumblebee sting is more like that of a wasp. They will jab you with their stinger, insert some toxin and withdraw their stinger. The pain level depends on how much time the stinger was in you as well as how many times she jabbed it in.

Bee Removal & Relocation

Because bees play such a vital part to the circle of life, it is important that you don’t harm bees when you find a hive on your property. You should always call a professional pest control company like Pest 911 to move the hive and preserve the lives of a honey bee colony. Bees of all shapes and sizes pose a risk to your family, especially if there is a bee allergy. The pain of a bee sting isn’t something you want to mess around with. If you notice that you have a bee problem on your property, don’t hesitate to call us today!