Bee Bearding: When Honey Bees Show Off Their Fuzzy Side
- Sep 3
- 6 min read
This week is a busy one. We celebrated Labor Day on Monday, where we honored hard work- both human and honey bee! Bees are some of the hardest workers in the natural world, and sometimes their dedication comes with a little flair: the honey bee beard. Did you know honey bees had beards? Well, it's not exactly what you might be thinking, Coinciding with World Beard Day this Saturday, it’s the perfect time to explore this fascinating behavior, celebrate fuzz, on both bees and humans, and maybe give your own beard some TLC with our Fuzzy Bee Bee-rd Oil. So grab your favorite honey snack nuts, settle into your comfy recliner, and read all about the amazing bee beard.
What Is Bee Bearding?
Yes, honey bees are fuzzy. That's one way you can tell them apart from other stinging insects. They don't have actual beards on their chins. We also aren't talking about people who wear a beard of bees on their faces. The bee bearding we ARE referring to is a fascinating and natural behavior exhibited by honey bees. Bee bearding occurs when a large number of worker bees cluster outside the hive, draping themselves over a surface in what looks like a living, buzzing beard. This isn’t aggression; it’s a smart social behavior. Bearding primarily happens to regulate hive temperature and relieve overcrowding inside, especially on hot, sunny days (which we've had plenty of in the Finger Lakes this summer).
With the goal of minimizing the number of bees inside the brood nest to maintain a consistent temperature, any worker bees not necessary for nursing the brood or tending to queen bees are often found outside of the hive hanging in these bee beard clusters.
The cluster of bees inside and outside the hive brood boxes, works to keep the hive cool and the brood at a consistent temperature. The bees will then start pushing air throughout the hive and fanning at the entrance. Amazing!!
Some key facts about bee bearding:
Temperature control: When the hive gets too hot, older forager bees move outside, forming a beard to keep the queen and brood safe inside.
Who does it: Mostly worker bees, the older foragers who have experience foraging and are less critical inside the hive.
Size & spectacle: Beards can contain thousands of bees, draping down like golden fuzz, definitely a sight that earns its name.
Behavior: Calm and cooperative, the bees are focused on helping the hive rather than stinging anyone nearby.
Is Bee Bearding Behavior Normal?
Although a single honey bee is a cold blooded insect, the honey bee colony is more like a warm-blooded creature. With muscle movements to create body heat and fanning to move air around and cool off, a lot of bee energy is spent regulating the internal temperature of the hive.
This is why it’s important the bees employ a range of mechanisms to achieve this goal, and why it’s important for the attentive beekeeper to do what they can to save their colonies any energy possible.
Bearding is totally normal behavior for a healthy colony of honey bees. Honey bees have no problem surviving outside of the hive, and it’s often a sign of a strong colony to see some degree of bearding on the landing board from early summer until the heat breaks in the fall.
This doesn’t mean all hives will be the same, though; some may have a constant beard for a few days at a time, while others may not beard on any hot day.
If most of the hives are bearding and one colony is not, it is a sign that the population is smaller and may signal a queen issue.
A weaker hive may not exhibit bearding behavior as prominently, which can indicate underlying problems within the colony. This is a great new beekeeper tip: noticing a significant difference in the behavior of a colony may prompt you to ask questions and look into the hive.
Bee Bearding vs. Swarming:
It’s easy to confuse bee bearding with swarming, but they’re very different:
Bee Bearding: Temporary and focused on temperature regulation. The colony stays in the hive; the queen is safe inside. Bees cluster outside like a fuzzy curtain.
Swarming: A reproductive process where half the hive leaves with the old queen to start a new colony. It’s a long-term move, not just a temperature fix. Swarming involves flying off into the distance, while bearding is literally “hanging out” in place. Swarms will then form a cluster of bees hanging nearby, usually in a tree, but not right at the hive entrance or off the front of the hive like you’ll see with bearding bees.
Think of it like this: bearding is a summer sweat-break, while swarming is moving out to a new house. Both are impressive, but one is all about keeping cool while the hive works hard.
What to Do if Your Bees Are Bearding
The majority of the time, bearding is a totally normal behavior with no cause for concern. Bees clustered outside the hive entrance, forming beards in hot and humid weather, is what they do. That doesn’t mean there are no steps that can be taken to ensure the health of your colony and perhaps save them some energy as well.
These tips are not always bearding related or an attempt to stop the bearding, but are helpful when bees are bearding due to hot weather
Provide More Space: Add another box to the hive to give the bees more room. This is only is your hive frequently beards or is a hive with only one brooder box or 2 medium brooders.
Improve Ventilation: Using a screened bottom board or opening a top entrance for air flow may be helpful, but be careful of robbing especially during a nectar dearth.
Ensure a Water Source: Provide a nearby source of water for the bees.
Offer Shade: Shade the hive, especially in the late afternoon, to help keep it cooler. This would be more for your southern states or very hot summers.
Don't Interfere: In most cases, bearding is a normal, positive sign of a healthy, thriving colony and does not require intervention.
HONEY BEE COLLECTING NECTAR AND POLLEN
Bearding and Honey Flow
The honey flow, or the period when nectar is abundantly available, can significantly influence bearding behavior. During the honey flow, worker bees are busy collecting nectar and making honey, which keeps them occupied and reduces the likelihood of bearing.
However, during a nectar dearth, when there is less nectar to collect, bees are more likely to gather outside the hive. This is because they have less work to do and may be waiting for the next opportunity to forage. Understanding this relationship can help beekeepers anticipate changes in bee behavior and manage their hives accordingly.
OUR BEARDED
BEEKEEPERS
World Beard Day and Fuzzy Bee Bee-rd Oil:
Why are we talking about bee bearding? One reason is to inform our readers about "all things bees" and another is that September 6th is World Beard Day. Tending honey bees, having beekeepers with beards, and offering beard products, we thought it was the perfect occasion to celebrate. Why not admire the bearding of honey bees and your own glorious facial fuzz (or your favorite bearded companion) on World Beard Day?
Our Fuzzy Bee Bee-rd Oil is designed to keep human beards soft, hydrated, and with no added fragrance, because everyone deserves a little bee-inspired care. It’s like a mini hive of nourishment for your chin! With all natural ingredients and no added fragrances, it won't clash with your colognes or attract the bees (it might attract the human ladies though).
CELEBRATE WITH US
Bee bearding is more than a fun spectacle, it’s a window into the social intelligence of honey bees and their dedication to their community. This World Beard Day, celebrate hard work, fuzzy faces, and a little honey bee love. Whether you’re admiring bee beards or treating your own beard, remember: a little fuzz can go a long way.
Celebrate World Beard Day the bee-friendly way! Grab a bottle of our Fuzzy Bee Bee-rd Oil and let your beard shine as brightly as a busy bee’s golden fuzz. Then you can impress them with your knowledge of bee beards.
Have a beard you are proud of? Share a pic in the comments and show it off!
Until Next Time- Stay Sweet!
Tom and Stacie
Tom and Stacie, are co-owners of Fingerlakes Honey Company located in the bee-utiful Fingerlakes region of New York State. When they are not tending to all things bees, they enjoy spending time with their grown children, their dog, and lots of chickens on their homestead. They love learning more about the bees they foster and helping others to learn more about them as well.
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