Can Bees Fly in the Rain?

The spring season invites rain. Depending on where you live, you may only see a few scarce showers or get the kind of rain that drenches you the second you step out. There are other living beings that rain affects, and you may wonder what the little buzzy ones do during storms. Can bees fly in the rain? And if they can, should they? Learn more about what happens when bees get wet and what they do to protect themselves!

If Bees Get Wet, What Happens?

When rainwater gets onto a bee’s body, it weighs it down. This is especially true if it’s heavier rain, but even misty rain can be detrimental for a bee. Since the water is weighing it down, it can’t move its wings as quickly as it normally would. Although during misty rain, a bee could potentially fly, it often won’t because of the potential dangers it could face.

Misty rain is a best-case scenario if a bee is caught out during a passing storm. However, torrential downpours could be deadly for a bee. When the raindrops are large and extra heavy, a bee could get knocked down and battered by more rain before finally drowning.

If a storm occurs and a bee is away from its hive or its nesting spot, it will look for immediate shelter and wait until it’s safe to fly again. If the bee is already in its nesting area, it will simply wait out the storm while protected in its home environment.

Do Bees Know When Rain is Coming?

Bees do prepare for storms, knowing when there’s one approaching. If they’re up in a hive, you’ll notice there is significantly less activity around the entrance. You may notice that they intentionally stay put to wait out the storm under cover. For those who keep honey bees, it’s important to know how to prepare fondant so the bees don’t go hungry during an especially wet season.

Do Bees Prepare for Heavy Rainstorms?

Aside from staying inside a hive or in a nesting area in the ground, bees also work extra during the days leading up to a storm. It’s believed that honey bees, especially, know ahead of time when they’re going to have a short supply and get to work so they can weather the upcoming storm. Their ability to sense atmospheric changes is what helps them survive rainy periods.

How to Help Bees During Rainy Periods

If there’s a hive on your property, you could relocate it when rainstorms are predicted to give them a sturdier shelter and protect them from violent raindrops and winds. This move should only be made across a couple of feet so forager bees can find their way home. Additionally, when you place the hive where there’s more protection, tilt it slightly. This allows rainwater to drain.