About Bee Swarms
Why do Bees Swarm ?
Swarming is a natural process and usually occurs in the spring and early summer, as colonies divide. It is part of the bees’ natural process of reproduction which both wild and domesticated bees have carried out for millions of years. A swarm forms when the old queen and up to half the bees in a colony leave to find a new place to nest, leaving a new queen and the remaining bees in the original hive.
Once they have left their home, bees are vulnerable to the weather and predators, so they will form a tight cluster to keep warm, dry and safe. This cluster will usually find somewhere to hang, for example from a tree branch, the eaves of a house, a fencepost, hedge or wall, or even a porch.
The cluster of bees will buzz alarmingly – this will be the bees 'shivering' trying to keep warm and dry. The swarm will remain in its temporary position in a cluster from a few hours to a few days, while "Scout bees" will seek out a new permanent home. Once a suitable home has been found, they will all fly off to the new location.
What to do with a Swarm ?
If you happen to encounter a swarm of bees, do not Panic ! Swarms are rarely dangerous, unless disturbed or provoked.
First make sure that they’re honeybees and not wasps. If you have a swarm of honey bees arrive in your garden, you will see a large cloud of bees in the air which will settle to form a tight cluster, approximately the size of a football or slightly larger. Keep children and pets indoors, but once settled they are not likely to attack anyone provided they are not disturbed.
Although a swarm is unlikely to be a threat to people, they can be unnerving, and it is important to prevent the swarm from becoming settled in an unsuitable location where it may come into contact with people or pets.
Your local police station or council may have a list of swarm collectors / experienced beekeepers in your area as well as a list of pest exterminators, and they should always be the first people to contact. If you are concerned about the welfare of the bees, it is better to contact a swarm collector who will collect the bees and move them to a safe area. A national list of swarm collectors is available by following this link.
The beekeeper will try and visit as soon as possible to collect the swarm, sometimes directly, but in difficult cases, by luring them into a temporary home. The swarm collector may wait until the evening before moving the bees as then there will be a better chance of collecting as many bees as possible.
Please note that swarm collection is a voluntary, specialist service for which a small charge is usually made to cover the beekeeper’s costs.
If you have no success with receiving information from your local council or police station, please contact Monica Coates on 01709 548700 and she will be able to supply you with the name of an experienced beekeeper in your area who may be able to help.
PLEASE REMEMBER : Bees are generally placid and harmless creatures, and rarely attack and sting unless they are provoked. They are essential to the environment, and carry out essential pollination to flowers, shrubs and crops. They are also a species protected by law, and anyone found to have poisoned them risks prosecution. Bees should never be harmed or destroyed needlessly.
If you have an interest in bees and beekeeping, why not contact us to find out about the benefits of becoming a member of the SRBA.
If you would like any further information, please contact us using the details on this website.
