What Do Honeybees Do in the Winter?

When winter settles over Vermont, most of the state’s wildlife either migrates, hibernates, or lies dormant. But honeybees? They stay right where they are. If you’ve ever wondered what honeybees do during a harsh Vermont winter, here are 3 things the hive must do to survive to spring.

1. They Form a Winter Cluster

Unlike many insects, honeybees don’t hibernate. Instead, they go into a state called torpor, in which their metabolism slows and body temperature drops, allowing them to conserve energy. In this state, they cluster together in a living, breathing ball to keep warm.

• At the center of the cluster is the queen—protected at all costs.

• Worker bees vibrate their flight muscles to generate heat, keeping the cluster’s core between 90–95°F, even when the world outside is far below freezing.

• The outer layer of bees forms an insulating shell, slowly rotating so no one gets too cold for too long.

2. They Survive on Stored Honey

During the late summer and fall, bees work tirelessly to store up honey for the cold winter ahead. In the winter, bees:

• Eat through 60–100 pounds of stored honey (sometimes more in harsher winters).

• Gradually shift upward through the hive as they consume honey frames.

• Move only when temperatures allow; extreme cold can trap them on one frame of honey.

This is why beekeepers ensure the hive is well-provisioned and well-insulated before the cold sets in.

3. The Queen (Mostly) Stops Laying & Colony Size Shrinks

In late fall, the colony reduces brood rearing dramatically. Male honeybees, or drones, are removed at this time because they don’t contribute to winter survival. The colony enters winter as a lean workforce of long-lived “winter bees” whose bodies are adapted for longevity, allowing them to live several months rather than the few weeks typical of summer bees.

By midwinter, the queen may stop laying eggs entirely for a brief period. The absence of eggs and baby bees, or brood, means bees don’t need to maintain brood-rearing temperatures—a key energy saver. As daylight increases in late winter, the queen begins laying again, preparing for spring!

A Remarkable Winter Strategy

What honeybees accomplish during a Vermont winter is nothing short of miraculous. They survive the intense cold with teamwork and navigate long months with no flowers. So while your hive may look silent under a blanket of snow, remember: inside, the colony is very much alive—buzzing quietly in the dark, waiting for spring.