Understanding Honey Bee Swarms
Honey bees are vital pollinators that help plants and crops flourish, playing an essential role in maintaining a balanced and healthy ecosystem. Occasionally, you may notice a cluster of bees gathered together—this is known as a swarm. Swarming is a completely natural and important part of a honey bee colony’s life cycle.
Although a swarm might seem alarming at first, understanding why bees swarm and how to respond safely can help protect both you and these remarkable insects. This page will help you identify a honey bee swarm, explain the reasons behind swarming, and outline the best steps to take if you encounter one.
What is a Bee Swarm?
Understanding Bee Swarms
A honey bee swarm occurs when hives become overcrowded and the colony needs more space to thrive. This usually takes place in spring, but can happen later depending on conditions. In preparation, bees prepare queen cells, and the current queen departs the hive, accompanied by thousands of worker bees. This swarm will temporarily cluster together—often on tree branches, fences, or other surfaces—while scout bees venture out to find a perfect new home for the colony.
Importance of Swarms
Swarming is a normal and important stage in the life of honey bees. When you stay calm and contact a local beekeeper for assistance, you’re helping safeguard these crucial pollinators and promoting the well-being of our ecosystems.
How to Recognise a Swarm
Honey bee swarms usually happen on warm, sunny days from May until the end of July, often right after a stretch of bad weather and when temperatures have risen into the high teens. These swarms may look dramatic, with thousands of bees forming a noisy cloud, but they typically settle into a cluster within 15 minutes.
A honeybee swarm is an impressive sight. Thousands of bees gather tightly together, forming a large, living cluster that often hangs from a tree branch, fence post, or the side of a building. The cluster can range in size from a football to a basketball—or even larger—depending on how many bees have left the original hive.
Although it may look intimidating, a swarm is usually calm. The bees are focused on protecting their queen and searching for a new home, not defending a hive, so they tend to be far less aggressive than usual. You may also notice bees flying in and out of the cluster as scout bees explore nearby areas for a suitable nesting spot.
Swarms are temporary. They may stay in one place for just a few hours or up to a couple of days before moving on to their new home. If you see one, the best thing to do is keep a safe distance and contact a local beekeeper who can relocate the bees safely and responsibly.
Swarm Guidance
Discover the essential steps to safely manage bee swarms.
Please ensure, before you contact anyone, that the swarm is indeed honeybees. Beekeepers cannot help with wasps or other types of bees so it would result in a wasted journey. Click below for a bee/wasp identification site that will also direct you to your local volunteer swarm collectors.
1
Step One: Keep your distance
Stay back and avoid loud noises or sudden movements around the swarm. Don’t panic—swarming honey bees are typically not aggressive. They’re focused on finding a new home, not on stinging.
2
Step Two: Contact your local beekeeping association
Experienced volunteer beekeepers can safely collect and relocate the bees, protecting both them and you.
3
Step Three: Do not spray the bees
Avoid using pesticides, chemicals, or even water—these can harm the bees and put you at risk.