Identifying a Swarm
- Before a hive swarms, there will be certain signs to look out for. These include an increase in the number of queen cells in the hive, a decrease in the number of bees, and an increase in the number of drones.
- Another sign of a potential swarm is an increase in the number of bees flying around the hive. This is called "bearding" and is a sign that the hive is becoming too crowded and the bees are preparing to swarm.
- Swarming typically occurs during the spring and early summer months, when the colony is at its strongest and the weather is suitable for bees to fly. The colony will swarm when it has outgrown its current space and the population is too large for the existing hive. This can happen if the colony has a strong nectar flow and the bees are able to produce a lot of honey, or if the colony has a large number of young bees. Additionally, swarming can also occur if a colony is overcrowded due to a lack of space for the queen to lay eggs, so it's important to keep an eye on the size of the colony and the space available in the hive to prevent swarming.
Preventing a Swarm
- One of the best ways to prevent a swarm is to regularly check your hive for the signs mentioned above. If you notice an increase in queen cells or a decrease in the number of bees, you should take action to prevent the swarm.
- One way to prevent a swarm is to split the hive by removing the queen and some of the bees to create a new colony. This will reduce the number of bees in the original colony and prevent it from swarming.
After the Swarm
- If you find a swarm on your property, it's important to take action quickly to prevent the bees from settling in an unwanted location. The first step is to locate the swarm and identify the queen.
- If the queen is present, it's best to collect the swarm and rehome it. If the queen is not present, the swarm will eventually die off.
As a beekeeper, it's important to understand the natural process of swarming and how to identify when your hive is about to swarm. By understanding the signs and taking action to prevent a swarm, you can help ensure the health and well-being of your hives and the bee population as a whole. But if you're not a beekeeper and find yourself in the unfortunate situation of dealing with a bee swarm, don't hesitate to reach out for professional help. Just visit our page for bee removal services in and around Melbourne, Victoria, and our team will take care of the rest. Remember, safety should always be a priority when dealing with bees, so it's best to leave it to the experts.