Bees are back in business atop one Chicago high rise

Bees
Dana McMullin shows some of the bees off at an open house Thursday at Prudential Plaza. Photo credit Steve Miller

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — With winter behind us, it’s time to look forward to signs of spring, including the bees that make honey near WBBM Newsradio.

The four bee hives on the 11th floor roof at Prudential Plaza survived the winter, and now beekeeper Dana McMullin of Alveole begins her regular visits.

McMullin on Thursday said the hives were wrapped with insulation in late fall. The bees spend the cold months huddling.

“They form a ball around the queen and they gyrate their bodies to keep her warm.  And even when it’s like negative-3 in Chicago, it’s 90 degrees in the hive,” she said.

beekeeper
Dana McMullin of Alveole checks up on the hives. Photo credit Steve Miller

McMullin showed off the bees to some of their co-tenants in the building, some of whom said they’re eager to have their own bee hives.

“I we lose the bees, we’re gone, too. So, if I can help make a dent in that problem I think I’d jump on that.”

Featured Image Photo Credit: Steve Miller