Why We Should Never Break Honeybee Nests in Winter

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Dr. Mahjabeen

As winter arrives, most of us prepare warm clothes, food supplies, and heated homes. But there is another community quietly preparing for the cold — one that plays a far more vital role in our daily lives than we often realize: the honeybees.

Every year, particularly in South Asian countries, wild honeybee nests are destroyed during the onset of winter. Some people do it to collect honey, others out of fear, and many simply because they are unaware of how critical these nests become during November and December. What may appear to be a small act can have devastating consequences — for the bees, for agriculture, and for public health.

This article explains why winter is a life-or-death period for honeybee colonies and why protecting their nests in these two months is not only an environmental responsibility but also a direct contribution to food security and community well-being.

Winter: The Most Vulnerable Season for Bees

Unlike summer, when bees fly freely to gather nectar, November and December mark the beginning of a crucial survival phase for the colony. During this time, bees retreat into their nest and form a tight winter cluster around the queen. By vibrating their wing muscles, they generate heat to maintain a nest temperature of around 30°C—even when the outside temperature nears freezing.

However, this warmth comes at a significant energy cost. The bees rely entirely on the honey stored in their nest to survive the winter months. With no flowers to forage and no means to rebuild a destroyed hive, any damage to the nest puts the entire colony at risk.

Simply put, breaking a nest in winter is almost always a death sentence for the bees.

Honeybees Need Their Nests to Feed Their Young

Even during the cold season, bees care for a small number of developing larvae within the hive. These young bees require consistent warmth, protection, and a stable hive environment. If the nest is damaged:

• Cold air enters and kills the brood.

• The queen becomes stressed or may die.

• The colony weakens and collapses before spring.

Protecting nests in November and December is, therefore, an act of preserving the next generation of pollinators.

How Destroying Winter Nests Affects Human Health

The survival of bees during winter has a direct impact on human health, agriculture, and nutrition. Honeybees are responsible for pollinating approximately one-third of the food we eat. When fewer colonies survive the winter:

• Fruit yields decrease (mangoes, citrus, apples, guavas, berries).

• Vegetable production declines (tomatoes, cucumbers, gourds).

• Oilseeds and legumes suffer (mustard, sunflower, beans).

• Food prices rise due to reduced supply.

• Communities lose access to fresh, nutrient-rich foods.

In this way, the death of a bee colony creates a ripple effect, impacting farms, markets, and ultimately, what ends up on our plates. Protecting bee nests is, in essence, protecting public health and food availability.

Why People Destroy Nests—And Why This Must Stop

Many people continue to break bee nests during winter due to:

1. Honey hunting:

   Traditional honey collection methods often involve burning or tearing down the entire hive. While this may yield honey for a day, it destroys the entire colony, eliminating its ability to recover for the following year.

   
   

2. Fear:

   People fear bee stings and believe removal is the only option. In reality, winter bees are usually calm and do not attack unless provoked.

   
   

3. Lack of awareness:

   Most individuals are unaware of the essential role bees play in maintaining our food systems and environmental health, particularly during the colder months.

   
   

The solution is not destruction but education. Communities need access to information, safe relocation services, and public messaging that fosters empathy and ecological understanding.

What to Do If a Nest Is Near Your Home

Occasionally, nests form close to human living areas — near windows, rooftops, or verandas. If the bees are not posing any immediate danger, the best approach is to leave them undisturbed, especially during November and December.

If the nest is inside a living space or poses a safety risk:

• Contact a local beekeeper for safe removal.

• Seek assistance from the wildlife or environment department.

• Avoid using fire, chemicals, or attempting amateur removal methods.

Safe relocation ensures the survival of the colony and protects people from unnecessary harm.

A Community Effort: Making November–December “Bee Protection Months”

As our environment faces growing threats from climate change, pollution, and habitat loss, small protective actions can lead to significant outcomes. Public health organizations, environmental agencies, and community leaders can collaborate to:

• Launch awareness campaigns ahead of winter.

• Share educational messages on social media and in schools.

• Encourage safe coexistence with wild bee nests.

• Promote bee-friendly practices, including garden planting and reduced pesticide use.

  
  

Designating November and December as “Honeybee Protection Months” can provide a recurring reminder of the need to protect these vital pollinators.

A Simple Decision That Protects an Entire Ecosystem

Though they are small, honeybees are essential to sustaining ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and ensuring food security. Their winter nests are not just honey-filled structures — they are survival engines for colonies that sustain agriculture through spring and beyond.

Breaking a bee nest in winter does not just harm insects; it fractures an ecological chain that feeds our farms, cities, and homes. Let this winter be a turning point. Let us choose protection over destruction. Let us spread awareness, foster compassion, and help our buzzing partners endure the cold so they can return in spring to pollinate our orchards and gardens.

Saving a bee nest today is saving food for tomorrow.