Re: How do bee's make there hive's?

Hi Ashley,

A couple of years ago, someone with your name asked exactly the same question. I am reprinting the same question with some edits and updated links.

The construction of nests is a fascinating subject. Imagine a large hotel that has several floors (stories) and a number of rooms on each floor. A bee or wasp's nest may have several floors, which are called combs, and on each comb many rooms, which are called cells.

Honey bees differ from wasps in that they construct combs that are vertical rather than horizontal with cells constructed on each side of the comb (See diagram). Unlike wasps who manufacture their own paper, bees use wax to build their nests. The wax is made in glands on the underside of the abdomen.

Honey bees construct their nests in tree hollows or more recently in man-made structures. Because wax becomes less brittle as temperature rises, the bees form a large hollow cluster within which the construction takes place. This results in the temperature of the construction site being around 95 oFarenheit.

Each bee secretes some wax and mixes it with saliva to make it easier to mold into the required shape. They start at the ceiling of their home and gradually work their way vertically downwards. While one cell is being completed other bees are already starting to form the cells beneath. In this fashion a whole comb is gradually formed. What the diagram does not show is that the combs are angled upward slightly to prevent honey running out and bees use their own heads as a tool to measure the incline. After a short period of time each cell will harden and a very strong nest is the result. The hive will support many times its own weight which is necessary as bees require a minimum of 35 pounds of honey to see them through the winter.

I took the diagram from an excellent site by Ross Koning: The Biology of the honeybee

Honeybees are absolutely fascinating animals and you can observe them most of the time without exposing yourself to any risk. Since you live in a state that has Africanized bees, you must make sure you are aware of what is around you. Individual bees generally pose no threat and neither do swarms on the move. A more dangerous situation occurs if you disturb a hive. The guard bees give off alarm pheromones and many bees will leave the hive to defend it. If you are ever in this situation, you should cover your face and run away ASAP. It is possible to outrun a swarm of bees or find shelter inside a house or a car. I must point out to you that you still have a much higher chance of being seriously injured by cars than you do by Africanized bees. The media tends to exagerate the risks posed by certain animals and blow our fears out of all proportion. I was lucky enough to see some African bees moving home and everyone around me stopped working to observe the swarm pass slowly just a few feet above us. We were more captivated than fearful.

Remain vigilant, but do not let your fears prevent you from enjoying the natural world around you.

Richard Kingsley