A bee swarm, a natural phenomenon, involves a large group of bees, including a queen, leaving their established hive to seek a new home. Understanding their typical docile nature during this phase is key to ensuring safety.
Understanding Bee Swarms
A bee swarm is a colony’s natural way of reproducing, essentially creating two or more colonies from one. This occurs when an existing hive becomes overcrowded, prompting the old queen and a significant portion of worker bees to depart in search of a new nesting site. Swarms commonly appear in late spring or early summer, though they can occur throughout the warmer months.
Swarming bees are generally not aggressive because they are engorged with honey, carrying provisions for their new home, and lack a hive or brood to defend. They are focused on finding a new residence, not on stinging. While typically docile, provocation can still lead to defensive stinging. The swarm may temporarily cluster on a tree branch, bush, or other object for a few hours to several days while scout bees search for a permanent location.
Immediate Safety Measures
The first step upon encountering a bee swarm is to remain calm. Panicking or making sudden movements can agitate the bees and trigger defensive behavior. Slowly and calmly move away from the swarm, increasing your distance. Bees are sensitive to vibrations, so minimizing disturbances is important.
If bees begin to buzz around you, protect your face and head by covering them with your arms or clothing, as bees often target sensitive areas like the eyes, nose, and mouth. Seek an enclosed shelter as quickly as possible, such as a building or a vehicle, ensuring windows are closed. Running in a straight line away from the swarm is effective, as most healthy humans can outrun bees, which fly at speeds of approximately 9 to 15 miles per hour.
Actions to Avoid
Do not swat at the bees or make erratic movements, as this provokes them and increases the likelihood of stings. Swatting is perceived as a direct threat, prompting a defensive response. Avoid screaming or shouting, as loud noises and panic can further agitate the bees.
Do not throw objects at the swarm or attempt to disturb it. Do not spray the bees with water, as this can make them aggressive and may not deter them, potentially hindering their ability to fly, especially in cooler conditions.
Never spray a bee swarm with pesticides or other chemicals. Pesticides are harmful to essential pollinators and can scatter the swarm, making it more difficult to collect safely while also contaminating the environment. If a swarm has been sprayed with chemicals, many beekeepers will not collect them.
Contacting Professionals
Once you are at a safe distance, consider contacting a professional to manage the bee swarm. Local beekeepers or beekeeping associations are the best resource for swarm removal. Many beekeepers are willing to collect swarms for free or a small fee, as they can safely relocate the bees to a new hive. This humane approach supports bee populations vital for pollination and ecosystems.
When contacting a professional, provide specific information about the swarm:
- Its exact location
- How long it has been there
- Its approximate size (e.g., the size of a basketball or grapefruit)
- What it is clustered on
A photograph can also be helpful. If the bees have been present for more than a few days and have begun building comb, they are considered an established colony, and removal may involve a fee, particularly if they are inside a structure. Pest control services should be a last resort, as their methods often involve extermination, detrimental to bee conservation.