What Behavioral Issue Has Been Observed With Bees In Plastic Hives? Understanding Absconding And Off-Gassing Risks

Beekeepers have observed a significant behavioral issue where bee swarms and nucleus colonies abandon their new homes entirely. Specifically, when housed in brand-new plastic or polystyrene hives, these colonies frequently abscond, fleeing the hive despite the presence of incentives designed to keep them there. This behavior suggests a strong biological rejection of the materials used in the hive construction.

Recent observations indicate that bees may be reacting negatively to unnatural fumes or off-gassing emitted by new plastic and polystyrene materials, causing them to reject the environment even when standard attractants like pheromones are used.

The Phenomenon of Hive Abandonment

The Specific Behavior Observed

When introduce to new plastic or polystyrene environments, swarms and nucleus colonies have been documented leaving the hive shortly after installation.

This is not a case of simple drifting; it is a deliberate mass departure known as absconding. The entire colony decides the location is unsuitable for habitation and departs to find a new nesting site.

Failure of Standard Lures

This rejection occurs even when beekeepers employ best practices to anchor the colony.

The presence of old frames with wax foundation—which typically smell like home and encourage settlement—has proven insufficient in these cases.

Similarly, the use of pheromone lures, which are specifically designed to attract and stabilize swarms, has failed to prevent the bees from leaving these new plastic environments.

Identifying the Root Cause

The Role of Unnatural Fumes

The primary hypothesis for this behavior is the bees' acute sensitivity to smell.

New plastic and polystyrene materials often emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or "new car smells" during their initial lifespan.

The evidence suggests that bees detect these unnatural fumes and interpret them as a toxic or unsafe environment, overriding other positive signals.

Vulnerability of Swarms and Nucs

It is important to note that this observation specifically targets swarms and nucleus colonies.

These groups are in a transient state and are highly selective about where they establish a permanent nest. They are far more likely to reject a hive with a "chemical" scent than an established colony that has already committed to a location.

Understanding the Trade-offs

Material Durability vs. Initial Acceptance

Plastic and polystyrene hives offer benefits such as longevity, thermal insulation, and resistance to rot.

However, the trade-off is a high risk of initial rejection. The very manufacturing process that makes the material durable creates the chemical signature that repels the bees.

Immediate Use vs. Preparation Time

Wooden hives can often be used almost immediately, as wood is a natural material with a scent familiar to bees.

New synthetic hives, conversely, appear to require a "breaking in" period. Using them fresh out of the box creates a distinct risk of losing the colony entirely.

Making the Right Choice for Your Colony

If you are planning to utilize synthetic hive materials, you must account for the bees' olfactory sensitivity.

If your primary focus is using new plastic equipment: You must mitigate the "new" smell, likely by airing the equipment out thoroughly well before introducing bees to allow fumes to dissipate.
If your primary focus is securing a fresh swarm: It is safer to use seasoned wooden equipment or older boxes initially, as the risk of absconding is significantly lower when the environment smells natural.

By respecting the bees' sensitivity to their chemical environment, you can prevent costly colony losses.

Summary Table:

Feature	New Plastic/Polystyrene Hives	Traditional Wooden Hives
Observed Behavior	High risk of absconding/abandonment	High acceptance and settlement
Primary Cause	Off-gassing of VOCs & unnatural fumes	Natural, familiar organic scent
Lure Effectiveness	Pheromones & wax often fail to anchor	Lures highly effective
Thermal Properties	Excellent insulation	Moderate insulation
Durability	Rot-resistant & long-lasting	Susceptible to weathering
Preparation Needed	Requires significant airing out	Ready for immediate use

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