A bee swarm is a dense cluster of thousands of honeybees resting temporarily on a surface. This natural reproductive process occurs when the old queen departs with worker bees to establish a new home. Although the sight can be alarming, swarming bees are generally docile and focused on their journey. They are not focused on defense or aggression. When encountering a swarm, the primary goal is ensuring safety while seeking a resolution that respects the ecological role of these pollinators.
Identifying the Swarm and Its Behavior
A honeybee swarm typically appears as a football- or basketball-sized mass clustered on a surface like a tree branch or building. This cluster is a temporary resting spot, lasting a few hours to a few days, while scout bees search for a permanent hive location. Swarming bees are docile because they are engorged with honey supplies and have no established nest or food stores to defend. Distinguishing a honeybee swarm from a wasp or hornet nest is important. Honeybees have fuzzy, oval-shaped bodies that are golden-yellow to brown, unlike the sleeker, narrow-waisted bodies of wasps and hornets. Wasps do not swarm but build paper-like nests from chewed wood fibers.
Immediate Safety Protocols and What Not to Do
Upon encountering a swarm, remain calm and maintain a safe distance, ideally about 10 to 15 feet away. Honeybees are aggravated by sudden, jerky movements, so moving slowly and deliberately is advisable. Ensure that children and pets are immediately moved indoors or kept far away from the resting cluster. Avoid actions that could provoke the bees and trigger a defensive response, such as spraying the swarm with water or throwing objects at it. Using chemical pesticides is strongly discouraged, as this will only kill the bees, agitate the swarm, and potentially contaminate the area.
Safe and Professional Removal Options
Temporary Swarm Removal (Beekeeper)
The most responsible and effective method for dealing with a bee swarm is to enlist professional help, as attempting do-it-yourself removal is dangerous and often harmful to the insects. For a temporary cluster, the preferred option is to contact a local beekeeper or a beekeeping association. Many beekeepers will collect swarms for little or no charge because they want to capture the bees to establish a new colony in their apiary. They have the expertise and specialized equipment, such as a bee vacuum or a hive box, to safely capture and relocate the entire cluster without harming the insects.
Established Colony Removal (Cut-Out)
If the swarm has been present for several days and has moved into a structural void, such as a wall cavity or attic, it has transitioned into an established colony, called a “cut-out.” This requires a specialized live bee removal expert who can carefully open the structure. The expert must remove all the bees, honeycomb, and brood, and then repair the entry point. Complete removal of the comb is necessary because residual honey or wax left inside a wall can attract other pests or cause damage from melting when temperatures rise.
Pest Control as a Last Resort
In rare cases, such as when the bees are confirmed to be aggressive Africanized honeybees or if the colony is completely inaccessible within a structure, a certified pest control specialist may be necessary as a last resort. Pest control typically involves extermination using pesticides, which should be avoided due to the ecological importance of honeybees. If extermination is chosen, it is still imperative that the dead bees and all hive materials are professionally removed from the structure to prevent future infestations and decay.
Preventing Future Swarms and Nesting
Preventing future bee activity involves eliminating potential nesting sites on the property, particularly before the peak swarming season in spring. Honeybees seek out sheltered, dry cavities that offer protection from the elements and predators. A crack or gap as small as one-eighth of an inch is enough for a scout bee to enter and begin assessing a location. Homeowners should conduct a thorough inspection of their home’s exterior, focusing on eaves, soffits, and areas where utility lines or pipes enter the house. All cracks, holes, and gaps in siding, window frames, and foundations should be sealed with caulk or expandable foam, and vents should be covered with fine-mesh screening.