Frigid Temps are Tough on Bees

As we look forward to spring, we anxiously await news of the bees' survivability over this long, cold winter. Although honey bees are native to Europe most of the honey bees in Connecticut are sourced from a supplier in Georgia. That means the bees are used to more temperate winters than ours here in New England and many don't adapt (i.e., survive) to the Connecticut cold. Ideally, the bees that DO survive can be propagated the next year so their cold hardy genes gain prominence in our apiaries.

There are several races of honey bees, the most common here are the Italians. We like the Carniolans, which are originally native to Romania and Bulgaria, and thus tend to survive winters better.