Bee Swarm – What is Swarming?

A bee swarm is a thrilling sight. Thousands of bees in flight, the mass moves through the air heading for a new home. Swarming is reproduction on the colony level. What does a bee swarm mean and can we prevent swarming?

Swarming bees are certainly exciting. A bee swarm makes the heart of any beekeeper beat just a bit faster.

However, we don’t really want our colonies to swarm. It’s hard to see half of our bees fly away for parts unknown. Beekeepers invest a lot of time into techniques to reduce or prevent swarming. Do they work? Sometimes…

Bee Swarm

The bee swarm is reproduction on the colony level. What is a bee swarm? The colony grow large and crowded. On a given day approximately half the bees in the hive and the queen leave for a new home.

Beekeepers strive to reduce swarming behavior because it results in a loss of honey production. Sometimes they are successful and sometimes swarming can not be stopped.

Swarming Bees - A Unique Bee Behavior

A bee swarm. Thousands of bees in flight or a mass of bees hanging in a tree. Why do bees swarm? Why would half the colony population leave their home.

This seemingly reckless behavior by honey bees has worked well for millions of years. What honey bee swarming means - a better understanding.

Why Do Bees Swarm-Can You Prevent it?

Why do bees swarm? A look into the causes of bee swarms. Can beekeepers prevent swarming? Sometimes, they do but sometimes the bees win and swarm anyway!

Swarm Trap Set Up and Check

Setting up swarm traps or bait hives is a lot of fun. Traps should be check regularly to make sure they are in good condition.

Attracting a Bee Swarm

How to attract a bee swarm to your bait hive or swarm trap. Beekeepers employ different methods of swarm lures and bait. Swarm traps come in all different kinds of materials and sizes.