As a service to our community, Backyard Beekeeper Association members listed here, can be contacted in the event a swarm is located in your area.  Before you spray, please call us to come remove these beneficial bees!

What is Swarming?

“Swarming is the process by which a new honey bee colony is formed when the queen bee leaves the colony with a large group of worker bees. In the prime swarm, about 60% of the worker bees leave the original hive location with the old queen. This swarm can contain thousands to tens of thousands of bees. Swarming is mainly a spring phenomenon, usually within a two- or three-week period depending on the locale, but occasional swarms can happen throughout the producing season. Secondary afterswarms may happen but are rare. Afterswarms are usually smaller and are accompanied by one or more virgin queens. Sometimes a beehive will swarm in succession until it is almost totally depleted of workers.

“Swarming is the natural means of reproduction of honey bee colonies. In the process of swarming the original single colony reproduces to two and sometimes more colonies. For instance, one species of honey bee that participates in such swarming behavior is Apis cerana. The reproduction swarms of this species settle 20–30 m away from the natal nest for a few days and will then depart for a new nest site after getting information from scout bees. Scout bees search for suitable cavities in which to construct the swarm’s home. Successful scouts will then come back and report the location of suitable nesting sites to the other bees.” — Wiki

Our beekeepers can easily catch honeybees that swarm and introduce them into their apiaries. Please call us if you suspect a swarm in your area and we will do our best to remove it safely. Let’s keep those honey bees healthy and happy!

 

Swarm Seekers