Every November, beekeepers ask: "How should I prepare my hives for winter?"
FROM THE FOUNDERS
After seven years of field testing and digging through research, we've realized that's the wrong question.
The question should be: "Why do my hives need so much prep?"
This month's feature might change how you think about winter entirely.
— Primal Bee Team
You know the drill.
Every fall, you wrap hives, add insulation, check food stores, reduce entrances. And worry.
New research tracked 31 colonies across Europe with over 1,000 temperature sensors. Colonies that kept steady internal temperatures survived. Colonies with fluctuating temperatures failed, often a full month before you'd notice anything wrong.
It wasn't about the weather outside. It was about whether the hive could maintain stable temperatures inside.
Most winter prep focuses on the outside: wrapping, wind breaks, extra insulation. But steady internal temperatures matter way more.
Three years earlier, the University of Illinois proved it, too, by tracking 43 hives. Half got insulated covers, half got nothing. The insulated hives had 95.5% survival versus 72.7%. They also ate 15% less sugar.
Here's the thing: standard wooden hives have insulation values between 0.9 and 1.4. Building codes require 13 to 21 for walls. Even barns housing livestock need at least 13.
We've been testing this for seven years across 20+ locations. Hives with proper insulation see losses as low as 10%. The national average sits at 40-50%.
Spring is where you really see the difference. More bees, more honey, faster buildup. They hit the ground running instead of barely recovering.
Bottom line: if your hive needs massive seasonal modifications to survive, something's wrong with the hive.
🐝 50 years in the hive: Vermont beekeeper shares hard-won lessons — calm bees, steady hands, and wisdom worth learning.
🎓 College credit, honey included: how a University of Louisville internship makes sustainability hands-on (and sweet).
👑 “We compare notes”: Kate Middleton’s quiet hobby revealed: beekeeping as balance, mindfulness, and a royal pastime.
🍯 How one family built a coast-to-coast honey empire: inside the Coy family’s 50-year journey from backyard bees to commercial co-op success.
Until Next Time
Next month: why temperature affects everything in the hive. Brood development, immune function, even how much honey your bees make. We're breaking down the biology.
Stay warm,
The Primal Bee Team