Many of us get through the winter by thinking about spring being on the way. With warming temperatures, new growth all around, and longer days, there are so many reasons to look forward to spring. However, springtime is riddled with insects here in Albuquerque NM. We often think of bees when we think about spring insects—they return to pollinate and thrive during the warmer months, then disappear again when it gets cold. So, where do bees go in the winter? The Pest Defense Solutions technicians have the answers!
Do Bees Hibernate During the Winter?
You’ve surely noticed that the number of bees around your home decreases significantly from the fall to the winter. After all, bees’ principal role in our ecosystem is to pollinate flowering plants, so what do bees do in the winter if they have nothing to pollinate? It actually depends on the species of bee—here are the ways that three common bees in Albuquerque NM handle the cold:
- Carpenter bees: These solitary bees return to the nests that they emerged from in the spring to take shelter and attempt to survive the cold.
- Honey bees: All of the male drone bees will die off when it gets too cold, but the female worker bees will stay together in the hive, surrounding the queen and vibrating for warmth.
- Bumblebees: The sad truth is that almost every single bumblebee dies when winter rolls around. However, the queen will save herself, burrowing in the dirt or finding a premade shelter, like an empty bird’s nest, hollow log, or compost pile. She emerges again in the spring to repopulate.
How to Prepare for Bees Before Spring
Some people like having bees around their home, but when you let bees nest near your house, you always put yourself at risk of being stung. Additionally, if you let their numbers grow in your yard, they might end up constructing a new nest inside your walls or under your eaves. Take these steps in the winter to prevent bee problems from developing in the spring:
- Trim your plants and mow your lawn often to prevent nesting in overgrowth
- Fill animal burrows in your yard that could create nesting sites for bees
- Repair any cracks in your foundation, walls, or roofing to keep bees out
- Consider gardening further away from your home than usual
- Cover your trash and recycling cans outside with lids that seal
Need Help Bee-Proofing Your Home this Winter?
If you’ve dealt with bee problems year after year in your home in Albuquerque, it’s time to have your local pest control company take a look. At Pest Defense Solutions, we offer both preventative inspections that identify vulnerabilities around your home as well as safe, humane, and non-toxic bee nest removal strategies. Contact us today to learn more about our bee control services and receive a free quote!
What Happens to Bees in the Winter? in Albuquerque NM
Serving Albuquerque & Santa Fe New Mexico