Overwintering Queens

When you think of hibernators, you may think of the typical examples: bears, groundhogs, and bats. It’s not as well-known that queen bumble bees exert a process similar to these hibernators as well! These queens are absolutely essential for the continuation of the colony. Each winter, the new queen will find a spot for shelter to escape the harsh, cold, and nutrient-deficient environment. These spots could be piles of leaf litter, under bushes, or in old burrows.