Beekeepers coming together to share experience and education.
What is a swarm?
If you see a cluster or ball of honey bees hanging from a tree branch, that is likely a swarm. Honey bees typically swarm in Spring. The old queen and a portion of bees will leave their old hive and search for a new own. The old hive will raise a new queen. This is the bee's way of reproducing their colony. The bees who have left their old hive will 'hang out' in a cluster, usually on a tree branch, while they send out scout bees to locate a new home. Once a suitable new home has been found the swarm will move to the new location. If you decide to do nothing, the swarm will likely move on within 48 hrs. However, having the swarm removed by a beekeeper is preferred - it increases the bee's change of survival and reduces the chances of the bees moving in to someone's house.
See a Swarm?
Our beekeeper volunteers can give unwanted honey bee swarms a proper home. Contact one of the volunteers listed below A.S.A.P before the swarm flies off to its new home. Before you call, please have the following information:
How long has the swarm been at this location?
What is the exact address of the property where the swarm is located?
How high off the ground is the swarm?
Is the swarm in a structure or on a tree, bush, fence etc.?
What size is it? Softball? Cantaloupe? Football? Basketball?
Is there a phone number where you can be reached?
Can you take a photo of the swarm?
Is the swarm in a structure or building?
If the bees are located in a structure or building, by law they can only be removed by a licensed bee removal expert. The contacts on this page can assist with removing swarms that are not in a structure or building.