Swarming is a natural part of the honey bee life cycle: it is how the colony reproduces. Most swarming occurs in the spring, but swarms can occasionally be found at other times of the year. A large portion of the bees in the hive, including a queen, will all leave the hive together. After leaving the hive, a swarm will land in a cluster to rest while scout bees search for a new place to live. Many beekeepers are happy to collect a clustered swarm and house them in their own hive. Removing bees from an established colony in a house or other human structure is a more specialized skill.
Have you found a swarm of honeybees? Please contact one of our officers and we will arrange for a beekeeper to come and retrieve them.
Robert Smith (828) 261-5210.
