Tiny Architects: How Bees Build Colonies Inside Walls Without You Knowing
Tiny Gaps, Big Plans: Bees can enter through holes as small as 1/8 inch. Wall vents, cracks, or loose siding are enough for a queen and her workers to start a colony.
Scouting for Real Estate: Scout bees search for warm, sheltered places with minimal light and low human activity—making wall cavities perfect nesting spots.
Fast Builders: Once inside, bees can begin constructing wax combs within a day or two, often hidden deep within the insulation or between studs.
Wax Production: Worker bees produce wax from glands on their abdomen and use it to build symmetrical honeycomb structures to raise brood and store honey.
Temperature Control: Even inside walls, bees maintain a constant temperature (around 95°F) by vibrating their wings to heat or cool the hive.
No Noise Alerts: Unless disturbed, bees are surprisingly quiet. You may not notice buzzing until the colony is well-established.
Growth Happens Quickly: A colony can grow from a few hundred bees to tens of thousands in just a few weeks during spring or summer.
No External Signs: From the outside, there may be no visible signs—just occasional bees near a small hole or vent.