They need to keep cool
There’s a heat warning in effect where my bees are placed in eastern Washington. That’s made me consider what steps to take to ensure they don’t overheat.
Honeybees have a very specific temperature range they can raise brood in. They are masters at keeping their home just the right temperature. Even so, there are some things we can do as beekeepers that can help.
Water
Honey bees cool their hives down similarly to how we maintain our body temperature. We need to drink water to stay hydrated so we can sweat. Our sweat then evaporates and cools us off. Honey bees need access to lots of clean water so that they can bring it back to the hive, then help it to evaporate quickly by fanning with their wings.
Because of this, it is so important to make sure your bees have access to clean water during heat waves. A bird bath may do, as long as it is kept full, and has enough traction for the bees to get a good grip as they are standing on the edge drinking. You’ll want to ensure wherever this is located that it is in a good spot where there will not be a high concentration of foot traffic- this water can get quite busy, and you don’t want honey bees getting caught in your hair.
A bucket or tote with floating sticks in it can do the same. You just want to make sure the bees have a good way to not fall in the water and drown. And if they do fall in, make sure they have something they can climb up on to dry off so they can fly back to their hive.
Ventilation is also important
Who wants to live inside with no AC and the windows shut tight when it’s 100 degrees outside? Well, your bees don’t like it either. Make sure they have good ventilation. An upper entrance, a screened bottom board, and a barely cracked inner cover can all help ensure they have the right ventilation so they can stay cool enough.
Insulation is important during a heat wave
This about the last time you went camping while it was hot out. That tent or even your RV was probably far hotter than your house. That’s because, at least in part, your house likely has far more insulation than the tent or RV.
Insulation not only keeps heat in, and can also keep heat out. The same applies for your bees. Consider adding some sort of insulation on top. Wool is a favorite of mine. Just put it in an empty box between the inner and outer cover and it will drastically reduce bearding, the behavior when they are hanging on the outside of the hive, trying to cool off and regulate the temperature during extreme heat.
They still might beard
At the end of the day, honey bees might still beard on the outside of the hive. As long as you’ve provided for their needs, this is acceptable, and many bees beard during the summer. You can help simplify their cooling efforts by following the above tips and tricks so they don’t have to work any harder than they have to. This will free them to focus on honey production and brood rearing.