During winter, bees cluster tightly inside their hive to survive the cold, relying on stored honey to generate warmth. If that hive is inside your home—behind walls, in the attic, or under siding—it can stay active for months without you noticing. Winter is the ideal time to remove hidden hives before they become major problems in spring.
When temperatures drop, you might think your bee problems are over. No more buzzing, no swarms in the yard, no bees at the windows. But the truth is, winter doesn’t eliminate bee colonies—it just makes them harder to detect.
Here’s what really happens to bees in winter, and why it matters if a hive is hidden somewhere in your home.
1. Bees Don’t Hibernate—They Cluster
Honeybees survive the winter by forming a tight ball around their queen. The worker bees vibrate their flight muscles to generate heat, keeping the queen and brood warm even when it’s freezing outside.
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Inside hive temperature: ~90°F
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Outside air temperature: can be below freezing
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Bees rotate positions so none of them stay on the cold outer edge too long
This survival technique keeps the colony alive through harsh conditions—but if that hive is built inside your wall, it’s staying warm with help from your home.
2. The Colony Feeds on Stored Honey
Bees produce and store honey throughout the year for this exact season. During winter, they consume it steadily to fuel their heat production.
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A typical colony may consume 30–90 pounds of honey over winter
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If food runs out, the colony dies—but the hive remains
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Dead hives leave behind wax, brood, and honey that can attract pests
Even a dead colony can cause problems in your walls if it’s not professionally removed.
3. Mild Winters Keep Bees Active
In warm climates like Texas, bees stay active much later into the season. Sudden warm spells during winter can trigger bees to explore, leave the hive, or even expand if conditions are right.
You might notice:
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Bees flying near vents or attic openings on sunny days
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Activity around outdoor lights or indoor fixtures
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New buzzing noises from within walls or ceilings
These are warning signs that a colony has overwintered inside your home.
4. Why You Shouldn’t Wait Until Spring
When spring hits, overwintered colonies often grow quickly—expanding further into your structure, swarming outside, and increasing the risk of stings or property damage.
By then:
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The hive is larger and more deeply rooted
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Honey and waste buildup may cause wall stains or sagging drywall
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Removal becomes more difficult and expensive
Removing hives during winter is faster, safer, and reduces long-term repair costs.
5. What Tyler’s Bee Removal Recommends
At TylersBeeRemoval.com, we offer winter inspections to identify hidden colonies—even when bee activity is low. We use thermal imaging and expert techniques to locate hives, safely remove them, and prevent future infestations.
Our team handles:
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Active or abandoned hive removal
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Full cleanup of wax, brood, and honey
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Scent neutralization and entry-point sealing
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Repair coordination if damage is found
Handle the Hive Before It’s a Headache
If bees settled into your home during the year, they’re still there—quietly surviving the winter behind your walls. Don’t wait for warmer weather to reveal a much bigger problem.
Call today to schedule a winter inspection and take care of the problem before spring wakes it up.
