The Carniolan bee stores honey stocks during the season above the brood in the honeycomb, and out of season directly next to the brood and above it. Only this is great for overwintering with minimal energy losses. In our climate, the Carniolan bee family needs 20-30 kg of honey in the hive for overwintering and intensive spring development.

One of the key ethological characteristics for the Carniolan bee is the intensive spring development of the bee family. This means the exponential need of the bee family for building brood and honeycombs and brooding (expansion of the nest) as well as the exponential need for drying nectar and storing honey. Restriction causes congestion of the bee family leading to swarming.

1. The appropriate placement of the nest for the Carniolan bee is on a warm building.
2. The height of the nest (without honey box) in the active season is approx. 32-34 cm.
3. The depth of the nest (number of brood frames) is on average 8-12 brood frames.
4. A compact nest is an energy efficient home.
5. A hive that optimally adapts to the spatial needs of a bee family is an energy-efficient home.
6. Carniolan bees make optimal use of their own potential and given resources by swarming.

Stress spiral:
If there is not enough food in the hive (approx. 10 kg), the queen will severely limit the laying. As a result of poor exchange of food and pheromones, the brood is also less well cared for. As a result, the bee population in the hive is declining. If honey pasture occurs, the bees will only use it poorly.