Why Did My Bees Die Over Winter?
- Laurence Edwards
- Feb 17, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 7, 2025
Why My Bees Died Over Winter: Understanding the Challenges of Beekeeping
As a beekeeper, losing a colony is heart-wrenching. This is especially true during winter's harsh conditions. In this blog post, we will explore a frustrating scenario many beekeepers face: colonies dying due to drone-laying queens.
In my recent YouTube video, I showcased the autopsy of a failed colony. The cause was evident – a drone-laying queen. This issue can remain unnoticed for weeks or months, leading to the demise of the entire colony. By understanding what a drone-laying queen is, how it occurs, and what warning signs to watch for, beekeepers can take proactive steps to safeguard their apiaries.
What is a Drone-Laying Queen?
A drone-laying queen is a queen bee that has lost the ability to lay fertilized eggs. This may happen due to age, poor mating, or physical damage. Instead of laying the necessary fertilized worker eggs, she only lays unfertilized eggs. These hatch into drones, the male bees that do not perform essential hive tasks like gathering nectar, nursing brood, or defending the colony.
In a healthy colony, a balance of worker bees is vital for survival. Without a steady supply of workers, a colony led by a drone-laying queen cannot survive, especially during winter when resources are limited. These queens can remain undetected for long periods, particularly in summer when hive activity appears normal. By the time you recognize the problem, it may be too late for the colony.
Signs of a Dying Colony
Understanding the signs of a dying colony can help beekeepers take action before it’s too late. Here are key indicators to consider:
Untouched Syrup in the Feeder: Bees usually consume all syrup provided in fall to prepare for winter. If the syrup remains untouched, it may indicate issues within the colony.
Dwindling Cluster Size: If the remaining cluster of bees is small, only about the size of a fist, that's a clear sign of a failing colony. A healthy hive should have substantial bee activity.
Presence of Drone Brood: Spotty drone brood on the frames is a strong indicator of a drone-laying queen. This is often seen alongside the other warning signs listed.
Based on these observations, it became clear that this colony had succumbed to a drone-laying queen, leading to its winter demise. Without a healthy, egg-laying queen, the colony could not endure the harsh conditions and limited resources.
How Does a Drone-Laying Queen Occur?
Several factors can cause a queen bee to become a drone-layer:
Age: Queens often lose their ability to lay fertilized eggs as they age. Regularly replacing older queens is essential for maintaining healthy colonies.
Poor Mating: If a queen fails to mate successfully with enough drones, she may lack the necessary sperm to fertilize her eggs. This can lead to drone-laying behavior.
Physical Damage: Queens can suffer physical damage from diseases or injuries, impairing their egg-laying capabilities.
Regardless of the cause, having a drone-laying queen poses a significant risk. Beekeepers must act quickly to address the issue. Without a healthy, egg-laying queen, the colony's population will decline rapidly. This leaves it vulnerable to starvation, disease, and other threats, especially during winter.
Preventing and Addressing Drone-Laying Queens
To mitigate the risk of drone-laying queens, beekeepers can take several preventive measures:
1. Routine Queen Checks
Regular inspections are crucial. When checking your colonies, assess the health and activity of the queen. Look for a solid pattern of worker brood and the queen herself. An absence of drone brood is ideal. If you notice concerning signs like a dwindling bee population or an unusual amount of drone brood, investigate further.
Routine queen checks are vital. They help you catch issues like drone-laying early. This proactive approach can prevent the loss of an entire colony.
2. Ensuring High-Quality Queens
Introduce high-quality, well-mated queens into your colonies. Source queens from reputable breeders who prioritize genetic diversity and disease resistance.
If you raise your own queens, follow best practices for queen rearing and mating. Use strong, healthy colonies as donors, provide adequate nutrition, and allow successful mating flights. This approach reduces the risks associated with drone-laying.
3. Replacing Failing Queens
Even with preventive measures, queens may still fail. When a drone-laying queen is suspected, replace her immediately. Take action by introducing a new, mated queen or allowing the colony to raise their own replacement.
The sooner a healthy, egg-laying queen is reintroduced, the better the colony's chances of survival. This is especially true during winter months when every bee counts.
Ultimately, losing a colony is a challenging reality for all beekeepers. My recent experience with a drone-laying queen served as a tough lesson but made me a more knowledgeable beekeeper.
Remember, prevention is key. Happy beekeeping, and here's to a successful season ahead!
At Black Mountain Honey, we pride ourselves on the wide range of mated queens we have for sale. If you need top-quality mated queen bees, check out our website: https://www.blackmountainhoney.co.uk/buy-queen-bees
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