Honeybees do not like cold weather. When temperatures dip, they can become sluggish and unable to fly. But no matter the conditions in the outside world, they try to keep their hives close to a comfortable 34°C–36°C (93°F–97°F). However, extreme weather, both hot and cold, can overwhelm this internal temperature control and ultimately cut their lives short.

That may not be a problem, though, if they are given a dietary boost. Researchers led by Dr. Najmeh Sahebzadeh at the University of Zabol in southeastern Iran wondered whether feeding them a diet containing a probiotic (live beneficial bacteria) and a prebiotic (fiber that feeds those bacteria) could enhance their survival.

The results, published in a paper in the journal PLOS One, suggest that it could.