What action do bees take when the temperature is above 50 degrees to eliminate waste?

When the temperature rises above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, bees engage in a behavior known as a cleansing flight. This action is vital for the colony's health as it allows bees to leave the hive to eliminate waste, which has accumulated during the colder months when they remain inside the hive. During the winter season, bees tend to stay clustered together to maintain warmth, and consequently, they do not venture out. Once the temperature is conducive, the cleansing flight becomes possible, enabling bees to evacuate waste outside the hive, thereby maintaining cleanliness and reducing the risk of disease within the colony.

This process is not only critical for hygiene but also helps prepare the colony for the upcoming foraging season, allowing bees to start fresh without the burden of waste inside their living space. It is an important aspect of their life cycle and hive management. Other choices like foraging, pollen collection, and honey production are related to food acquisition and resource management but do not specifically address the immediate need to eliminate waste in response to temperature changes.