The Reasons Behind Swarming
Honey bee swarming is a natural method of colony reproduction where a single colony divides into two or more new colonies. This process allows for the expansion of bee populations into new areas.
Several factors trigger a colony’s decision to swarm. Overcrowding within the existing hive is a common catalyst. When the hive becomes densely populated, worker bees have less room for activities, and the queen has reduced space to lay eggs.
An abundance of resources, such as nectar and pollen, also plays a role. Ample food indicates a healthy colony capable of supporting a division. This signifies the colony’s readiness to reproduce and establish a new home.
The Stages of a Swarm
The swarming process begins with preparations inside the existing colony, often weeks before departure. Worker bees start raising new queen cells, ensuring a successor queen remains in the original hive. The old queen may reduce her egg-laying rate and lose body weight, making her more agile for flight.
When conditions are optimal, thousands of worker bees exit the hive with the old queen. This initial exodus is a visible event, as bees pour out of the hive entrance in a dense cloud. They do not immediately fly to a new home but form a temporary cluster nearby.
This temporary cluster, often found on a tree branch, bush, or other structure, serves as a resting point. During this phase, the bees are generally calm and docile, as they are not defending a hive or honey stores. They are engorged with honey, providing energy while scout bees search for a new dwelling.
Establishing a New Colony
Once the temporary cluster forms, scout bees locate a suitable permanent home. These experienced foragers explore potential nest sites like hollow trees, rock crevices, or abandoned structures. Upon finding a promising location, a scout bee performs a “waggle dance” to communicate the site’s direction and distance to other scouts.
Multiple scout bees may advocate for different locations. Through repeated dances and inspections, the swarm collectively decides on the best site. Once a consensus is reached, the entire cluster takes flight towards their newly chosen dwelling.
The swarm moves into its new cavity, and bees immediately begin building new wax comb for storing honey and pollen and for the queen to lay eggs. Establishing a new colony is a challenging endeavor. While many swarms successfully re-establish, factors like weather, resource availability, and predator presence can influence their long-term survival.
Interacting with a Bee Swarm
Encountering a bee swarm can be startling due to the sheer number of bees involved. However, it is important to understand their behavior during this phase. Swarming bees are typically not aggressive because they are without a hive to defend or honey stores to protect. Their primary focus is on finding and moving to a new home.
If you encounter a bee swarm, observe it from a distance and avoid disturbing the cluster. Do not attempt to spray the bees with water, throw objects at them, or otherwise agitate them. Such actions can provoke a defensive response, which is uncharacteristic of a swarm.
Instead of intervention, consider contacting a local beekeeper or a professional bee removal service. Many beekeepers are eager to collect swarms, as this provides them with a new colony and ensures the bees are safely relocated. These experts have the knowledge and equipment to safely manage the swarm without harming the bees.