Maximizing Bumblebee Longevity in Greenhouse Pollination: A Grower's Week-by-Week Guide
- Andrei Darie
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
Consistent pollination is vital to maximizing yields in greenhouse tomato and strawberry crops. But bumblebee hives, particularly Bombus impatiens, have a finite working lifespan. Understanding the natural lifecycle of your hive allows you to optimize placement, rotation, and replacement—preventing yield loss due to underperformance.
This guide delivers a clear, week-by-week breakdown of hive activity, tips for managing longevity, and practical signs for when to replace a hive. If you manage pollination in a commercial greenhouse, these insights will help you plan smarter and pollinate better.
Hive Lifecycle at a Glance
Total lifespan: ~8-12 weeks
Peak pollination window: Weeks 3–6
End-of-life indicators: Reduced activity, male bees, no pollen collection
Weeks 1-2: Establishment
What's Happening:
Crop Defenders' Surpass Hive contains a queen, initial ~75-100 workers, and developing brood
Workers begin orienting and foraging
Queen lays eggs, first new workers due in 10–14 days
What to Look for:
Steady activity
Bees returning with pollen = healthy brood rearing
Grower tips:
Place hives horizontally on stands if possible, or avoid stacking more than 3-4 hives with alternating entrances
Avoid disturbing the hive
Monitor for slow startup; replace if activity doesn’t increase by end of Week 2
Weeks 3-4: Growth and Ramp-Up
What's Happening:
New worker bees emerge
Hive population increases
Peak pollination power building
What to Look for:
Increased foraging
More consistent pollination (buzzing, bruised anthers, improved fruit set)
Grower tips:
Avoid pesticide use during this critical ramp-up
Keep hive entrances clear from obstruction by foliage
Weeks 5-8: Peak Performance
What's Happening:
High activity and performance
Pollinating more flowers over longer flight distances
What to Look for:
High pollen collection
Loud hive buzzing
Consistent fruit set
Grower tips:
Continue monitoring hive health and activity
Monitor pollination levels
Weeks 9-12: Decline and Reproduction
What's Happening:
Hive reaches peak capacity and worker bee population declines
Queen slows or stops laying new eggs
Hive shifts to reproductive phase
What to Look for:
Fewer foragers, slow movement
No pollen on returning bees
Increased dead bees outside hive
Monitor for the presence of male bees (Drones)
Grower tips:
Replace hive when decline is visible
Never let a non-performing hive linger to prevent the development of drones
Remove and dispose of hives away from crop areas
Key Influencers of Hive Longevity
Key Factors | Details |
Temperature | Optimal: 18–30°C (65–85°F). High heat or chilling shortens colony life. |
Day Length & Lighting | Long photoperiods (e.g., under LED & HPS) increase foraging hours and shorten hive lifespan. |
Floral Density & Nutrition | Tomatoes provide only pollen; strawberries provide nectar and pollen. Certain banker plants (e.g., Sweet Alyssum) also provide nectar. |
Pesticide Exposure | Use only bee-safe products. Apply during inactive periods and protect hives from spray drift. |
Hive Type & Size | Endura Hives (50-75 workers): lasts minimum 10-12 weeks. Surpass Hives (75-100 workers): lasts minimum 8-10 weeks. Turbo Hives (125+ workers): lasts minimum 6-8 weeks. |
Placement | Horizontal placement supports increased longevity as bees expend less energy on regulating hive temperatures. Avoid stacking more than 3 hives, and alternate hive entrances. |
Best Practices for Rotation & Replacement
Align with bloom: Place hives 1 week before heavy flowering
Overlap hives: Introduce new hives weekly or biweekly (under low light levels)
Stagger install dates: In large areas, start hives in phases to balance labour and coverage
Track activity: Use a weekly checklist to note traffic, pollen loads, sugar water levels
Plan ahead: Don’t wait for decline, replace proactively to maintain consistent pollination levels
When a Hive is Performing Well:
Foragers are active and numerous
Bees carry pollen back to hive
You hear buzzing inside the box
Flowers are bruised, good fruit setting occurs
When to Replace a Hive:
Drones are seen
Pollen collection drops significantly
Flower pollination is visibly inconsistent
Hive is past 8-10 weeks or clearly in decline
Final Thoughts
Pollination success depends on more than just placing hives — it’s about timing, monitoring, and rotating to match your crop’s needs. A Bombus impatiens hive is a powerful tool, but only when managed with its natural lifecycle in mind.
Apply these strategies to:
Prevent pollination gaps
Improve fruit uniformity
Extend overall crop quality and yield
Want to simplify this process? Crop Defenders' Surpass Hives are engineered for greenhouse productivity with strong startup worker forces, longer-lasting colonies, and built-in support to help you monitor hive performance. Contact Us to enquire about availability in your region.