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Honey Bee Swarms

It is the time of year that honeybees start swarming. This time of year, we always have folks call in concerned about seeing a large number of bees either flying or gathered in a huge mass. There is nothing to be alarmed about, this is just a honeybee swarm. Bees swarm as a natural part of a bee colony development. Thanks to the good rainfall we have been fortunate enough to receive this spring, there are a lot of wildflowers, this provides food which helps hives grow to capacity and that can lead to swarming. When a hive gets too full the old queen will take anywhere from 1,500 to 30,000 worker bees and a few select drone bees to go in search of a new hive. The queen bee is protected in the center of the swarm during the swarming process.

Swarming usually takes place in spring or early summer as this is when bees tend to increase their population. It is an instinctive part of the honeybee life cycle and provides a means for the colony to reproduce and grow. Beekeepers work to control swarming in managed hives as much as possible; they would rather have the bees relocated to hives in their apiary (a place where bees and beehives are kept for honey production) than in a dead tree trunk or other location. However, not all hives are managed and even in managed hives swarm’s sometimes escape.

While the site of a swarm can be alarming, any danger associated with a bee swarm is very small. Honey bees only act defensively around their hives where they have young and food. In a swarm there are no young and there is no food to protect. Also, before swarming, honeybees will feed, which reduces their ability to sting. Typically, the best action is no action. A swarm of honeybees will usually only stay in one location for a day or two, while the workers are out looking for a suitable hive. Just do not disturb the swarm and enjoy watching one of nature’s fascinating creatures.

If you would like to learn more about honeybees and apiary management, join our local “Apiary Management Group.” We meet bi-monthly to discuss and provide education on apiary management. If you would be interested in attending the meetings, please give us a call to get on the email and mailing list. Our office number is: 325-356-2539.