The beehive, also known as the bee hive：is a marvel of engineering that serves as a home, a nursery, and a storage facility all rolled into one.
The process of building combs and sealing the beehive is not just a survival strategy for the bees but a remarkable display of their innate skills and cooperative behavior.
In this article, we’ll explore how bees work together to build combs and seal their beehive to perfection.
1.Why is a beehive so important to bees
Before delving into how bees build their hive, it’s important to understand why a beehive is so crucial to their survival.
The beehive provides bees with a secure place to store honey and pollen, while also serving as a safe haven for their queen to lay eggs.
The hive itself is made up of a series of hexagonal cells, which are known as combs.
These combs play an essential role in the hive’s function by holding the brood (larvae and pupae) and storing the honey and pollen that the bees will need to survive through the colder months.
The term “beehive” or “bee hive” refers to the entire structure that bees create, but it’s the combs that are the true engineering wonders of this creation.
Bees use a unique method of construction to build these combs, and it’s here that their true skills are showcased.
- The hexagonal shape is key to the hive’s efficiency and strength.
Why hexagons? The answer lies in geometry. A hexagonal grid allows the bees to maximize space while minimizing the amount of wax needed to construct the comb.
This design also makes the comb structurally sound, as each cell supports the others, creating a strong and efficient structure.
Worker bees will continue to build and extend the combs as the hive grows.
Each bee contributes to the construction process, working in unison with other bees to ensure that the hive develops in an organized and efficient manner.
2.Once the combs are built, the next step is sealing the beehive
Sealing is a crucial task for bees, as it protects the hive from external threats and helps regulate the internal temperature and humidity. To seal the hive, bees use a substance called propolis, often referred to as “bee glue.”
Propolis is a resin-like material that bees collect from tree buds, sap, and other plant materials.
They mix it with their saliva and beeswax to create a sticky substance that can be used to seal cracks, gaps, and holes in the hive.
This sealing process ensures that the hive remains insulated and secure, keeping the brood safe and the honey stores protected from pests and the elements.
In addition to sealing the beehive’s structure, bees also seal individual cells in the comb. Once a cell is filled with nectar or pollen, the bees cap it with a thin layer of wax.
This helps preserve the stored food for later consumption, ensuring that the hive has enough resources to survive during the winter months when foraging is not possible.
The beehive is not just a collection of individual combs; it is an integrated system in which every part works together to maintain the hive’s health and productivity.
The bees’ ability to seal and maintain the hive is part of this system. A well-sealed hive allows for better temperature regulation, which is critical for the development of the brood.
The temperature inside the hive needs to be maintained at a constant level, typically between 32°C and 36°C, to ensure the brood can develop properly.
- sealing the beehive helps prevent diseases and pests from entering
Bees are constantly on the lookout for threats, and they will use propolis to seal up cracks or any potential entry points for invaders. This proactive approach helps maintain the hive’s security and ensures that the colony remains healthy and strong.
Beeswax is an integral part of the beehive’s construction and sealing process.
It is produced by the worker bees through special glands on their abdomen, and it serves as the building material for the combs.
The bees use this wax not only to create the structure of the hive but also to seal the individual cells and protect their stores of honey, pollen, and brood.
3.Beeswax is incredibly durable and can last for years
even centuries, in the right conditions. This makes it the perfect material for creating the long-lasting and secure structures that bees rely on.
It’s also an environmentally friendly material, as it is made from natural substances and is biodegradable.
The process of how bees build combs and seal the beehive is a testament to the incredible teamwork, engineering, and natural instincts of these tiny creatures.
From the construction of the hexagonal combs to the sealing of the hive with propolis, every aspect of the beehive is done with precision and care.
Bees don’t just build a shelter; they create a highly organized, functional system that supports the entire colony’s survival.
For those who are fascinated by nature’s ingenuity, the beehive offers an awe-inspiring example of how even the smallest creatures can accomplish remarkable feats. So, the next time you see a bee hive, remember that it’s not just a simple structure—it’s a work of art created by one of the most industrious species on the planet.
How Bees Build Combs and Seal Beehives