Honey bees swarm as a natural reproductive process of the colony. When a honey bee colony becomes overcrowded and the available resources, such as space and food, are limited, the colony may decide to swarm. Swarming is a way for the colony to reproduce and create new colonies.
There are several reasons why honey bees swarm:
- Overcrowding: As the honey bee colony grows, the number of bees increases, resulting in a lack of space inside the hive. The bees may decide to swarm to alleviate overcrowding.
- Queen cell production: When the colony starts to feel overcrowded, the worker bees begin to build special cells called queen cells. These cells are larger and different in shape compared to regular worker cells. The bees start raising new queens in these cells.
- Queen’s pheromones: The queen bee produces pheromones that help maintain harmony and cohesion within the colony. As the colony grows, the queen’s pheromones may become diluted, leading to a decrease in their influence. This can trigger the bees to start raising a new queen and swarm.
- New queen emergence: When a new queen emerges from her cell, she needs space to mate and establish her own colony. The old queen and a large portion of the worker bees leave the hive with the new queen in search of a suitable location for a new colony.
Swarming is a highly coordinated process where the bees communicate through pheromones and perform specific behaviors to prepare for and execute the swarm. The swarm typically forms a cluster of bees on a nearby object, such as a tree branch, while scouts search for a suitable location to establish a new hive.
It’s important to note that swarming honey bees are usually docile and less defensive because they are focused on finding a new home rather than protecting their existing colony. However, it’s advisable to keep a safe distance and contact a local beekeeper or pest control professional if you encounter a swarm to ensure they are safely relocated.
Honey bee swarming typically occurs during the spring and early summer months, although the precise timing can vary depending on the region and climate. In most temperate regions, swarming activity is commonly observed from late spring to early summer.
The specific timing of swarming is influenced by a combination of factors, including the colony’s size, availability of resources, temperature, and day length. Typically, swarming tends to happen when the colony has built up its population and has enough resources to sustain the departing swarm.
In many regions, swarming can be observed between April and July. However, it’s important to note that this timeframe can vary. Warmer regions may experience swarming earlier in the year, while colder regions might see swarming activity later in the spring or even early summer.
Beekeepers who manage honey bee colonies closely monitor their hives during the swarming season to prevent or manage swarming. They may employ techniques such as providing additional space, managing the queen’s reproduction, or splitting colonies to control the swarming impulse and maintain colony health and productivity.