Honeybee Starvation

You might not be aware of it, but honey bees also face the starvation problem. Honey bee starvation is a problem which is encountered by many bees and beekeepers. There are various reasons why bees might be starving. It may occur due to poor weather, infection, exhausting food reserves and more. While residential beekeepers lose more colonies in the winter, commercial beekeepers don't face much loss due to season. As a beekeeper, you should know when you need to feed the bees. It can be confusing to know when bees need food. To make things easier, you should keep an eye on their behavior.

Causes for Honeybee Starvation

Scarcity of Food

Overharvesting of honey is one of the main causes of the scarcity of food for honeybees. Harvesters don't leave enough honey for the bees. Then weather fluctuations, existing food reserve, etc. also lead to depletion of the food store. It could just take a day or two of food scarcity to kill an entire hive.

Weather Conditions

During winter, honey bees gather around the queen and children to keep them warm. While the outer layer of bees keeps the group tight and warm, inner bees move around to build heat. So even if food is available in other frames, it might be too cold for the bees to reach the food. This might lead to starvation. Similarly, in spring, fall, and summer, if things are not favorable, it can lead to bees' starvation.

Diseases

There are some diseases that can affect the digestive system of the bees. This can lead to starvation even if there is enough food for them.

Transport and Transference

When bees are moved from one place to another, it can distress them. During transportation, bees stay confined to heat and weather variations. Change in their daily routine can also affect them adversely. Bees may not get proper food and nutrition while on the road. It can result in starvation issues.

Symptoms

Here are a few symptoms that will help you recognize if your bees are starving:

1. Robbing and Belligerence

Usually, honeybees are social and often like to stay in their own colony. Though, in the case of starvation, they may start raiding other hives for honey and nectar. If you find dead or dying bees in front of a hive, it means it has been robbed. Starvation also makes bees aggressive. Take it as a warning sign and check their food supply.

2. Underdeveloped Adult Bees

Lack of food and starvation means the bees would not be able to have a fully developed body. The undersized growth means a lack of performance and that can further threaten their survival.

3. Lack of Nectar

When nectar is not enough, it means bees don't have enough food. Nectar is one of the main sources of energy for bees. Without having nectar to make honey, bees will be forced to consume whatever honey they have. This will lead to the rapid depletion of honey and a decrease in the standard supply of the honey.

4. Bees Feeding on their Own Larvae

When bees start eating their own larvae, it means it is their last resort for survival. When no other option is left, bees end up eating their own larvae. That is a sign of starvation.