What Happens to Bees in the Winter?

When the air turns crisp and the flowers fade, many people wonder — what happens to the bees? While our candles continue to glow through the colder months, the bees who made the wax are taking on a very different kind of work.

The Winter Cluster

Honeybees don’t hibernate like some animals. Instead, they form what’s called a “winter cluster” — a tight ball of bees gathered around their queen to keep her warm. The bees on the outside of the cluster rotate inward, while the inner bees move outward, sharing the work of generating heat by shivering their wing muscles.

Inside the hive, the temperature can stay around 90°F (32°C) — even on freezing days outside!

Living Off Their Honey Stores

All summer long, bees collect nectar and store it as honey. In winter, that honey becomes their food supply. The colony carefully moves across the comb, eating through their reserves to survive until spring flowers bloom again.

Why This Matters

When you choose beeswax candles, you’re supporting the beekeepers who help these incredible colonies thrive year after year. Each candle is a small reminder of the bees’ hard work — and of the warmth and light they bring to every season.

✨ Fun fact: Even in the dead of winter, a healthy hive will buzz faintly if you listen closely — a quiet heartbeat of life waiting for spring.