Bee Swarm Season is Here

From RCGC Professional Member and beekeeper Pat Bono:

During the next several weeks, honey bee colonies will be expanding and sending out swarms - groups of bees with a queen. Swarms can form from colonies in trees, barns, houses or managed hives. Before leaving the parent hive, the bees gorge on honey in preparation for their trip to find a new home. This makes it difficult for them to sting.

Swarms usually collect on a branch or some other spot and stay for a few hours to a few days before moving on. Local beekeepers are looking for swarms to collect, and will do this for free. Captured swarms are used to replace bees lost during the winter.

If you see a bee swarm, please contact a beekeeper right away. Please do not spray the swarm, as it sickens and damages the bees, making them useless for pollination and honey-making.

There are many internet sites with lists of local beekeepers waiting for swarm calls.

Pat Bono
Seaway Trail Honey, PO Box 25291, Rochester, NY 14625, 585-820-6619
RochesterBeeSwarms@gmail.com