Mingle Hill Observation Hive:
WillowBee Apiary maintains an “Observation Hive” at MingleHill Farm located at 2625 Mountain Rd, Saint Anns, ON L0R 1Y0 https://www.minglehill.com/. The observation hive is on location between end of May and early September each year. This is one of only a few observation hives that operate in Niagara Region each year.
What is an Observation Hive? It is a special bee hive enclosed in plexi glass that allows visitors to safely see, touch, and learn about the fascinating world of bees without disturbing them. This Observation Hive has 9 removable frames.
Why have an Observation Hive? Bees play a crucial role in our ecosystem, pollinating the plants that provide us with food, flowers, and natural beauty. The Mingle Hill Observation Hive gives you a rare opportunity to witness these incredible pollinators in action—watch as they build honeycomb, store nectar, care for their young, and even communicate through their famous “waggle dance”! This is a great way for young kids to experience bees up close.
A Safe & Interactive Experience:
- Glass Protection: A fully enclosed, see-through design allows for a safe and hands-on experience—you can place your hand on the glass and feel the warmth of the hive!
- Educational for All Ages: Whether you’re a curious child or an aspiring beekeeper, this hive offers a front-row seat to nature’s hardest workers.
- Find the Queen: Can you spot the queen bee among her thousands of worker bees? Our hive is always buzzing with activity!
- Watch the Bees safely enter and exit the hive collecting pollen “pollen pants“, hatching young baby bees and watching them communicate to one another.
The Observation Hive is more than just a display—it’s a living example of how important bees are to all of us and our planet. By visiting, you’re not just learning—you’re also helping to spread awareness about the essential role of bees in agriculture and the environment.
Come explore, ask questions, and gain a deeper appreciation for these tiny but mighty creatures.
Fun Bee Facts!
Scientific research shows honey bees pollinate about 30% of the world’s food supply directly. Without honey bees, we would not have many of our food crops.
Bees fly on average 15-20 km/h !
A single forager bee visits up to 1,000 flowers a day! Incredible!
Worker bees (typically aged 12 to 18 days) possess eight wax-producing glands. When the bee is ready to produce wax, these glands secrete a substance called “wax scales. The bees use this wax to build and repair honey comb.
In the winter, bees do not hibernate. They cluster together and generate heat vibrating their flight muscles. ! The bees form a cluster around their queen, keeping her warm even in freezing outside temperatures
How long do bees live? Worker bees live 4-5 weeks in the summer, but up to 6 months in the winter. How is that possible?
Queen bees can live up to 4 or 5 years which is incredible for an insect. That is why we put a colour on the back of the queen so we can tell how old she is. It is very rare for a queen to live past 5 years. The colour code rotation is as follows: White means the queen is from a years ending in 1,6, yellow is years ending in 2 or 7, red is years ending in 3 or 8, green years ending in 4 or 9, blue is years ending in 5 or 0. So when was the existing queen born if her colour is blue?
