As the golden hues of fall spread across Wisconsin, the honey bee colonies at The Hive Taproom are preparing for the change in seasons. You might notice something peculiar happening in the hives this time of year: the mass eviction of the drones, the male honey bees. But what’s behind this bee phenomenon, and why should it matter to those of us enjoying a crisp, sparkling mead on a sunny autumn afternoon?
Let’s dig into this curious, albeit ruthless, behavior of our honey bees and explore the fascinating role drones play in the hive.
Why the Drones Get the Boot
Honey bee drones have one primary job: to mate with a queen, but not the one they grew up with—because that would be weird, right? Their sole purpose is to fly out and hopefully find a virgin queen during the warm months when mating flights occur. But outside of that, drones don’t really contribute much to the hive's day-to-day operations. They don’t forage for nectar or pollen, tend to larvae, or clean the hive. In fact, the drones are the biggest consumers of resources within the colony, gobbling up honey and nectar while leaving all the heavy lifting to the worker bees (who are all female, by the way).
So, when autumn sets in and temperatures start dipping below 70°F, mating season comes to a close. The hive’s collective focus shifts to surviving the winter, and the drones are no longer needed. Since they’ve outlived their usefulness and would just continue consuming the colony's precious stores, the worker bees kick them out—quite literally. The smaller but scrappier female workers grab the oversized drones by their legs or wings and drag them out of the hive, slamming the door shut, so to speak, on their return.
It’s a cold reality, but hey, nature's survival strategies aren’t always warm and fuzzy.
The Workers Gear Up for Winter
While the drone eviction may sound harsh, it’s all part of the colony's master plan to survive the winter. The worker bees, who remain inside, continue to make the most of the fall flowers like goldenrod, asters, and sunflowers to stock up on nectar and pollen. On those occasional warm autumn days, they’re still out foraging, but their main focus is ensuring enough food is stored to last through the long, cold months ahead.
As temperatures drop, the queen bee cuts back on egg-laying. This is her Goldilocks moment—lay too few eggs, and the hive won’t have enough bees to keep her warm through the winter. Lay too many, and they’ll exhaust their food stores too quickly. So, the queen aims for that "just right" population to sustain the hive’s needs through winter.
When the colder nights arrive, the worker bees form a tight cluster around the queen, keeping the core of the hive a toasty 85-95°F. It’s a full-on group effort to keep her warm, and in return, she ensures the hive survives to see another spring.
Cheers to Our Queens (and No Hard Feelings for the Drones!)
Here at The Hive Taproom in East Troy, WI, we love sharing the quirky details of life inside our hives—whether it’s the survival instincts of our worker bees or the cold, calculated eviction of the drones. So, as you sip on one of our refreshing, cold, dry sparkling meads, know that you’re tasting the labor of those hardworking bees who are busy getting ready for winter just a few miles away.
And while the drones may not get much love in the hive, we’ll raise a glass to them too—after all, without the drones, we wouldn’t have queens, and without queens, there would be no hive.
So, come visit us at The Hive Taproom, where you can enjoy "The Better Buzz" surrounded by the vibrant colors of fall. Take in the crisp air, cozy up by our outdoor bonfires, and indulge in a functional, delicious beverage that will have you feeling good the next day. Here’s to sweater weather, beautiful fall foliage, and the fascinating world of honey bees. Cheers to the Goldilocks queens—and yes, to the evicted drones as well!
See you at the Taproom!
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