What Is A Honeybee Hive Like Inside?
Honeybees usually build their hive in holes in tree trunks or in gaps in rocks. The hive consists of many vertical walls of wax called combs. Each comb is made up from hundreds of six-sided cells that have a domed base and an opening in the top. Each cell is tilted slightly, so that its contents do not fall out. All of the cells at the centre of the hive are used to house eggs and larvae. The cells near to the edges are used for storing honey. A ring of cells between the two is used to store pollen. A large hive has many combs and these are packed closely together. The bees do not have much space to work but they make sure that no cell is unfilled. Honeybees air-condition their hive when it gets hot. Some of the workers stand at the entrance to the hive and fan their wings. When it gets really hot they sprinkle droplets of watered down honey at the entrance to cools the air even more.
