Bees build their hives near good sources of the flowers that produce the pollen and nectar they need.
When the conditions are good, with plenty of warm weather, rain, and sunshine, distances between the hive and flowers are short. In early spring or late fall, when flowers are scarce, bees have to fly long distances to do their “chores.”
The honeybee has to travel an average of 43,000 miles to collect enough nectar to make a pound of honey! Bees also collect water and bring it inside the hive.
They use the water to help cool the hive. They spread it on the combs so that it will evaporate. When it does, the temperature inside the hive drops. To speed up the process, the bees often beat their wings to create a breeze.
This is about as close to homemade air-conditioning as you can get.
