Swarms
Bee swarming is a natural means of reproduction, but it can look pretty intimidating! When a hive becomes overcrowded, some of the bees leave the hive with the queen, leaving a new queen to take over the original hive. Because they have left their hive, the bees stay in a swarm while they scout for their new home.
❗️If you see a cluster of bees in a tree or somewhere you don’t think they should be, call a beekeeper. We can help save them and move them safely! ❗️
Watch and read below to learn more.
Have you ever seen something similar to what's shown in the video? The sight of swarming bees can cause anxiety in some people. However, you should know that swarming is a fundamental and almost magical part of the bee’s life cycle.
During the Spring and Summer seasons a colony’s population can grow massively in terms of numbers of worker bees, leaving the hive a little tight for space. When the available space becomes too small, the hive splits up, with some bees out to find a new place to live. This is what bees are doing when they swarm.
When bees swarm, it simply means that one colony has became two colonies. The bees try to solve a very apparent space problem while following their instinct of survival and reproduction.
As a beekeeper, we do our best to stay on top of our hives to avoid losing half of our colony to a new home away from the hive. It happens though!
So what do I do if I see a swarm?
If you are not a beekeeper who wants to catch the swarm, keep a natural distance and avoid threatening the bees as they move on their way to find a new home. Do not try to move or destroy the swarm, as they will react and it will result in stings. You can however, reach out to a beekeeper! (Me!) You can have a look at me moving a swarm here and here.
If you have a swarm in your yard or near your home that you would like moved, please feel free to reach out to me to inquire about a safe relocation of the swarm, ensuring that both you and the bees are kept safe!
Please note, because of the time sensitive manner of swarms, this is not a service that I can always offer. Depending on distance and availability, I may not always be able to help, but it is worth the call! In the case that I am not able to relocate and save the swarm, I may be able to direct you towards another beekeeper.
