A bee swarm represents a colony’s natural reproductive process, a fascinating event where the original hive splits to create a new one. This event typically occurs in the late spring or early summer when a strong colony becomes overcrowded and raises a new queen. The old queen then departs with approximately half of the worker bees, temporarily clustering on a nearby structure while scout bees search for a permanent new home.
The sight of thousands of clustered bees can appear intimidating, but swarming bees are notably non-aggressive. They are at their most docile state because they possess no hive, brood, or honey stores to defend, and their focus remains solely on relocation. Capturing one of these temporary clusters is a common and sustainable method for acquiring a new colony, often resulting in a vigorous population adapted to the local climate.
Essential Gear and Safety Protocols
Preparing the necessary equipment and assessing the situation beforehand significantly increases the likelihood of a successful capture. A full protective suit with a veil and puncture-resistant gloves are mandatory to guard against potential defensive stings and ensure confidence during close proximity work.
The primary capture vessel should be a ventilated box, such as a specialized nucleus (nuc) box or a deep hive body, ready to receive the bees. A smoker is useful to generate cool, calming smoke, which temporarily disrupts the bees’ communication. You will also need a soft bee brush or a large feather to gently direct straggler bees and, depending on the location, pruning shears to manage the swarm’s attachment point.
Safety begins with a thorough environmental assessment of the swarm’s location. Never attempt a capture if the bees are positioned at a dangerous height or on an unstable structure. All work should be conducted during daylight hours when the bees are active. Laying a light-colored sheet or drop cloth beneath the cluster helps track the bees and prevents accidental crushing of stragglers.
Step-by-Step Swarm Capture Techniques
Once the site is deemed safe and the gear is ready, position the open capture box directly beneath the clustered swarm. For swarms hanging from a branch, the most effective technique is a quick, decisive shake to dislodge the majority of the bees into the box. The goal is to get the queen into the box on the first attempt, as the entire colony will follow her.
If the swarm is attached to a surface that cannot be shaken, such as a fence post or a wall, a different approach is necessary. You can gently brush or scoop the bees downward into the box, using a spray bottle of plain water or sugar water to lightly mist them, which encourages clustering and reduces flight. In cases where the swarm is on a small, manageable branch, it is easiest to clip the branch with shears and place it directly inside the capture box.
After the main cluster is inside, watch the entrance of the box for confirmation that the queen is present. Worker bees will begin rapidly entering the box, and a distinct behavior known as “fanning” may be observed. Bees standing at the entrance will raise their abdomens and fan their wings, signaling to the remaining flying bees that their new home is inside. If the bees immediately begin to leave the box and re-cluster on the original spot, the queen was missed, and the capture process must be repeated.
The capture box should be left in place with a small entrance open until all the field bees have returned, which typically means waiting until sunset. Leaving the box allows the remaining foragers and scouts to locate their companions and enter the new cavity. Securely close all entrances and ventilation holes only after dark, ensuring the entire colony is safely contained for transport.
Housing and Monitoring the New Colony
Transporting the captured swarm should be done gently and after nightfall to prevent the bees from escaping mid-journey. The sealed box should be moved to its permanent apiary location, ideally where it will receive morning sun and afternoon shade. The transfer process from the temporary capture box to the permanent hive, such as a deep Langstroth box with frames, should happen as soon as possible.
To transfer the bees, the permanent hive is prepared by removing a few central frames. The contents of the capture box are then gently shaken or poured into the empty space in the permanent hive. Placing the permanent frames back into the box will encourage the bees to move onto the comb structure, which mimics a natural cavity and anchors the colony. The goal is to make the new hive appealing so the bees do not abscond, which is a risk since they have no comb or brood invested in the new location.
Initial care involves providing immediate resources to help the bees stabilize and begin building comb. Feeding the newly hived swarm with a sugar syrup solution encourages rapid wax production, allowing the queen to begin laying eggs quickly. Some beekeepers recommend delaying feeding for a minimum of three days to encourage the bees to consume the honey they carried. The first inspection should be a brief check approximately one week after the transfer to confirm that the queen is laying eggs and the bees are successfully drawing out new comb.