The number of bees in a hive can vary depending on the time of year and the availability of food. A hive typically has a population of around 20,000 to 80,000 bees in the summer, when the hive is most active. The number of bees in a hive may be smaller in the winter, when the hive becomes less active and the bees cluster together to keep warm. A hive can contain up to 100,000 bees at its peak, but it is not uncommon for hives to have fewer than 50,000 bees.
The bees in a hive are divided into three types: queens, drones, and workers. The queen is the largest and most important bee in the hive, and she is responsible for laying eggs and producing pheromones that help to maintain the harmony of the hive. The drones are male bees that are responsible for fertilizing the queen’s eggs. The workers are female bees that are responsible for foraging for food, tending to the young, and performing other tasks to help the hive function.