Hive temperature

What temperature should a hive maintain?

A healthy honeybee colony maintains its brood nest at about 34–35°C (93–95°F). Drifts outside that range are usually the earliest sign that something needs your attention.

Bees are remarkable thermoregulators. Even on a cold winter morning, the cluster around the brood will hold a near-constant 34–35°C. In summer, workers fan their wings and ferry water droplets to evaporate excess heat.

What HiveTech tracks

Our sensor measures internal hive temperature continuously. If it drifts more than 2°C from the rolling baseline of a healthy week, we send you a calm note — not a panic alarm.

What to do when it drifts

Sudden drop: often signals queenlessness, brood loss, or chilled brood after a cold snap.
Sustained spike: usually means ventilation is poor or the hive is overcrowded — a swarm sign.
Gentle decline in fall: normal as the colony contracts for winter.

Back to hive health See how HiveTech tracks it