Swarm Season Has Begun in Santa Cruz County!
It’s February 28, and that means swarm season has officially started in Santa Cruz County! For beekeepers, this is one of the most exciting and busy times of the year. Whether we’re out catching swarms or managing our overwintered colonies to prevent swarming, there’s always something to do.
However, there are quite a few misconceptions about honey bee swarms. The phrase “swarming bees” often brings up fear in people who assume these bees are angry or aggressive. But the truth is, swarming bees are actually quite gentle! They’ve filled up on honey in preparation for their big move and, because they have no honey or babies to protect, they’re less defensive. In this post, I’ll explain what swarming is, why it happens, and what to do if you encounter a swarm.
What is Swarming?
Swarming is an essential part of honey bee biology—it’s how a successful colony spreads its genetic material and establishes new colonies. In a swarm, the original “Mother” queen and a portion of the colony leave their hive to find a new home, while a daughter queen stays behind to reign over the original hive.
There are several factors that can lead to swarming. Common pressures include a large population of bees in the colony, lots of brood, abundant food stores, and the presence of new queen cells. This congestion can cause a drop in the concentration of queen pheromone, which triggers the bees' instinct to swarm.
The Swarming Process
As the queen’s pheromone concentration decreases, she begins laying eggs into queen cups to start the queen-rearing process. The worker bees then prepare the queen for the swarm by feeding her less, helping her slim down so she’ll be light enough to fly with the rest of the colony. At the same time, about 3% of the worker bees take on the role of scout bees and begin scouting potential new nest sites. The worker bees’ wax glands also become enlarged in preparation for building a new home.
About 8 days after the queen-rearing process begins, the original queen leaves the hive with a third to half of the colony. The swarm can range in size from a few thousand bees to as many as 14,000, depending on the size of the original colony! Watching a swarm take flight is an exhilarating sight—one moment, the bees are swirling in every direction, and the next, they’re flying together as one towards their destination.
Resting Swarms and Decision-Making
Swarming bees don’t usually move directly from their original hive to a new nest site. Instead, they find a resting spot, typically within 300 feet of the hive, where they form a tight cluster. The swarm may stay at this resting spot for an hour, a few days, or even move to another temporary resting site before settling on their new home.
While resting, the bees engage in a complex decision-making process. If you look closely at the cluster, you may see scout bees performing a “dance” on the surface, communicating information about potential new nest sites. They evaluate factors like cavity volume, entrance height, entrance size, and whether there are old combs inside. Once the scout bees reach a consensus on the best site, the whole swarm takes flight to their new home, and just like that, a new colony is born!
What to Do if You See a Swarm
If you’re lucky enough to spot a swarm, don’t panic! The best thing you can do is to leave the bees alone. They’re not aggressive, and they’re simply resting while they search for a new home.
Here’s what not to do:
Don’t call an exterminator! They’ll likely poison the bees, which is completely unnecessary.
Don’t spray the bees or try to make them move. This will only aggravate them and make it harder for someone to safely remove them.
If the swarm has landed in an inconvenient spot, like your backyard or even on a car, call a local beekeeper! Beekeepers are skilled at removing swarms safely and without harm to the bees. It’s also a fascinating process to watch!
Need Help with a Swarm?
If you see a swarm in the greater Silicon Valley or Santa Cruz County area, give us a call! We’d be happy to come out and safely remove it for you. Swarming season is one of the most magical times of the year for beekeepers, and we’re always excited to help relocate these gentle creatures to a new home.
Swarming season is in full swing, so keep your eyes peeled—you might just catch a glimpse of nature in action!