What is a
swarm?
A bee swarm is a group of honey bees that leave their hive to establish a new colony. Swarming is a natural process that occurs when a colony outgrows its current living space. It is composed of a queen, workers and drones. Swarms usually take place in late spring or early summer. They are not aggressive and pose no threat unless unduly provoked.
How it happens:
- In spring, the colony’s population grows as the queen lays eggs.
- The colony raises a new queen.
- The old queen and about half of the worker bees leave the hive.
- The bees cluster together on a tree branch, fence post, or other object.
- Scout bees search for a new home.
- Once a new home is found, the swarm flies there as a group.
What it looks like:
- Swarms can be large and noisy, with thousands of bees.
- They can be dark brown and round or oval in shape.
- Swarms can range in size from a softball to a basketball.
What to do:
- Do NOT disturb it
- A Honey bee swarm is entle, not aggressive and is resting.
- Swarms are generally not dangerous and are less likely to sting than bees protecting their brood.
- If you see a swarm, remain calm and don’t panic. Do not provoke them!
- Do NOT spray it with an insecticide
- Do NOT hose it down with water
- Do NOT hit it with a stick
- Do NOT call an exterminator
- Swarms are temporary and will likely move on shortly.
- If you have a swarm and need to manage it,DO: call a Beekeeper as soon as possible so you can get proper help.
Honey Bee Swarm Contact information:
- This information is compiled for the recapture of Honey Bees Only, not other bees or insects.
- Volunteers perform swarm captures, so if the job is too difficult or they feel they cannot do it safely, they have the right to turn down any job.
- Most volunteers will not collect Honey Bee swarms from inside buildings and walls.
- Honey Bee Swarms are Honey Bees that attach themselves into a hanging ball of bees on a tree branch, fence post, side or eaves of a building or other object. You will see bees with no covering whatsoever.
- Hives on the other hand, are established Honey Bee colonies that reside inside tree hollows, wall cavities, ceilings, attics, etc. Honey Bees DO NOT build grey paper structures on the eaves of houses.
- Most volunteers have certain equipment that will only reach a certain height. Make sure you know approximately how high up the swarm is before contacting us.
- Our goal is whenever possible, to collect the Honey Bee Swarm safely and remove it from the current location to install it in our own apiaries.
- The volunteers are beekeepers and members of the Ripple River Beekeeping Club. interested in providing a service and protecting Honey Bees.
In either case the club bears no responsibility and assumes no liability in the manner of which individuals provide services.