Is It a Colony or a Swarm?
A colony is a group of bees that have moved into a (usually enclosed) dry cavity and started building comb. Typical locations include inside hollow trees, in walls, chimneys or attics, under decks, etc. We have even found them in wooden barrels and long-parked cars! Colonies should be removed promptly from unwanted sites because honey bees can store an astonishing amount of honey in only a few weeks. Some of our members offer professional honey bee removal services. Please note that colony removal is usually done for a fee, and you should discuss the extent of the work needed to remove the bees before the removal begins.
A swarm is usually spotted as a cluster of bees hanging from a tree branch, a bush, the eaves of a house, etc. The bees are out in the open, not inside of walls, under floors, or within a sprinkler valve box, etc. People often are concerned when they find swarms near their home — it’s a lot of bees, and bees sting, right? Actually, honey bees usually only exhibit defensive behavior near their colonies, to protect their young and food supply (honey!) A honey bee swarm has neither young nor honey and thus isn’t likely to exhibit defensive behavior unless unduly provoked. Please, whatever you do, don’t kill a swarm — many of our beekeepers would be glad to move them to a new home for you!
A honey bee swarm on a small tree.
Honey Bee Swarm FAQs
Q. What do I do if I see a swarm of honey bees?
A. Don’t panic: bees in a swarm are universally in a good mood. They can’t easily sting even if antagonized because they have gorged themselves with honey before swarming (in order to be able to produce wax in their new home and can’t get their bodies into the best position to sting. If the swarm is not causing a nuisance, leave it alone or find a beekeeper to come take the swarm away. If the swarm is not captured and removed, it will cluster in a bush or tree and remain there for up to three days. During that time scout bees will search for a suitable location for the swarm to establish a new hive, and eventually the swarm will depart for their new home.
Q. Why do honey bees swarm?
A. Honey bee colonies swarm when they have outgrown their nest site. The existing queen and approximately half of the bees will swarm from the hive and seek a suitable location to build a new nest. The remaining half of the bees will stay in the current nest site. Shortly after the colony swarms, a new queen bee will hatch and, if she successfully mates, will perpetuate the colony until it again swarms.
Q. How do beekeepers catch swarms?
A. Beekeepers usually catch swarms when the bees are in a cluster on a tree or bush. The beekeeper simply shakes the cluster into a cardboard box that can be secured and has adequate ventilation. The swarm is then taken to a hive, the box opened and the bees shaken into the hive. Alternatively, the box can be opened in front of the hive for the bees to enter it by themselves. It is a dramatic sight to see a swarm marching into a new hive!