Whether a bee colony can move its “hive” depends on the distinction between the physical structure and the colony’s inhabitants. In beekeeping, a hive is a man-made box, but in nature, the hive is the nest structure itself, composed of wax comb built inside a cavity. The established nest is fixed and cannot be physically transported by the bees. However, the highly mobile colony can relocate itself through one of two distinct natural processes. This movement is a survival response, triggered either by colony success or by extreme environmental stress.
Swarming: The Colony’s Way of Relocation
Swarming represents the honey bee colony’s natural method of reproduction, splitting one large colony into two separate units. This event is typically triggered by spring overcrowding when resources are abundant. Before the swarm departs, worker bees prepare special queen cells to raise a new queen. They also reduce the food intake of the old queen to make her light enough for flight.
The swarm, including the original queen and approximately half of the worker population, exits the nest in a swirling mass. They initially settle on a temporary location, such as a tree branch, while specialized scout bees search for a permanent new home. These experienced foragers perform a “waggle dance” on the clustered swarm to communicate the direction, distance, and quality of potential nest sites.
Through a collective decision-making process, the bees agree on the best location, and the scouts guide the clustered swarm to the new cavity. The departing swarm carries only the honey they can hold for energy. They leave behind the established wax comb, all the brood (eggs, larvae, and pupae), and substantial food stores for the remaining half of the colony. The original nest, now managed by a newly emerging queen, continues to thrive in its fixed location.
Absconding: Total Hive Abandonment
Absconding is a less common and more drastic form of colony movement, representing the total abandonment of the nest site by virtually all adult bees. Unlike reproductive swarming, absconding is a survival mechanism where the entire population relocates due to intolerable conditions. The queen is not restricted in flight, having naturally slimmed down due to stress or lack of resources.
The primary triggers for absconding are severe environmental threats or resource scarcity, such as drought leading to a nectar dearth or relentless pressure from pests like wax moths or small hive beetles. Excessive heat, chemical contamination, or physical disturbance can also prompt the colony to leave. When a colony absconds, they take what food they can carry and abandon all the wax comb, brood, and remaining stores, leaving the original cavity empty. This mass departure is an emergency response, indicating the bees have determined their chances of survival are greater elsewhere.
The Physical Constraints of the Established Nest
A honey bee colony cannot simply pick up and move its established nest because the infrastructure is physically non-portable. The wax comb, which forms the core of the bee’s home, requires a massive energy investment to create. Worker bees must consume approximately eight pounds of honey to produce just one pound of beeswax.
The comb is essential because it holds all the immobile developing brood and stores the vast majority of the colony’s resources. A mature colony can store tens of pounds of honey and pollen, making the nest structure far too heavy to transport. The established comb is the permanent infrastructure that anchors the colony to its location.