It can be a bit of a shock to come home and find a large cluster of bees hanging from a tree branch in your backyard, a fence post, or even your car.
That is what we call a swarm of bees or a bee swarm, and the good news is that it is generally not dangerous. Because they don’t have an established nest or eggs to defend, the bees are usually very calm and pose no immediate danger.
Of course, something should be done about it, so here’s what to do in case you encounter a bee swarm this spring and summer season.
What Causes A Bee Swarm?
A bee swarm happens when the hive becomes overcrowded, usually in the warmer months when there’s rapid population growth and food in abundance. The old queen will take about 50% to 60% of the working bees in search of a new home, while a new queen takes over the original hive.
While scout bees explore for a permanent home, the majority of the swarm clusters around the queen bee to keep her warm and protected. They will temporarily land in gardens, trees, and even more obscure places in urban areas, near the original hive they left.
It should be said that non-beekeepers often mistake wild beehives for a swarm. Although this isn’t something that is likely to appear suddenly on your car mirror or letterbox. Wild hives will have established comb structures, and attempting to relocate one is much more difficult than a swarm.
People sometimes may also mistake wasps for bees and vice versa. If you are uncertain about it, it's time to call a professional.
Calling A Local Beekeeper
If you are in Auckland, you can contact us about a bee swarm, and we will be happy to come and collect, free of charge. You can also contact your local beekeeper anywhere in New Zealand, and most are happy to do the same.
Beekeepers appreciate being called to a bee swarm because they have the tools and infrastructure ready to host a new colony. They can expand the number of hives under management and extract more delicious honey during late spring and summer.
You must be quick, however. Bee swarms will only stay in one spot for hours or up to a day before they move on in search of their forever home. Time is of the essence when capturing a swarm on the move.
How To Safely Capture A Bee Swarm
If you are a hobbyist beekeeper, here are some tips on how to safely capture a bee swarm.
What you should definitely not do is spray them with insecticide. The good news is that capturing a swarm is usually not too difficult, provided you’re organised, have the right gear, and know what to do.
Although the swarming bees are generally pretty docile, you should still wear a hat, veil, and gloves to avoid stings. You can also choose to wear a full beekeeping suit if you wish. For the actual capture, you will need a large, breathable container, box, or bucket to hold the bees in. A brush, clippers, a smoker, or a spray bottle may also be helpful, depending on the position of the swarm.
The goal is to get the majority of the bees and the queen into your container swiftly. The rest of the colony will follow shortly after. Usually, the majority of the bees circle around the queen during a swarm, and thus it will be easy to guess where she is located based on the biggest cluster.
If the swarm is on a small branch, you can clip it and let them fall straight into your container. If the branch is too big to be cut, you can shake it and let the majority of the bee swarm fall into your box. This is where a smoker or sugar water spray bottle may help calm the bees during the transfer.
But what if the swarm is on a letterbox, or I simply can’t just shake or cut my way into the box? Well, you will have to gently scoop large handfuls of bees into your container. Once you have transferred a significant part of the swarm, the rest will follow.
A New Home (Hive)
It should be said that it is important to leave a small accessible opening at the bottom of your container or box so that bees outside can join the rest of the colony inside.
When you’re satisfied that most of the bees have been collected, you can close the accessway and transport them to their new home (hive). Once you’ve reached your destination, gently transfer the colony to their new hive.
Leave them be for at least a week and give them a chance to orient themselves and start making comb without disruption. Thereafter, they can be managed as any other hive.