Rain

Precipitation can affect the foraging patterns of honey bees. While a light or brief shower may have little to no impact on how honey bees forage, heavy rain or storms will stop them from leaving the hive. Honey bees have been observed working harder before the onset of a storm. On a hot day, honey bees will use water to cool the colony by fanning and evaporating water droplets inside of the hive.

In addition to impacting the honey bee’s behavior, the rain can dilute the dissolved sugar content in a flower’s nectar.

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