Should We or Shouldn't We Let Our Bees Swarm?
Swarming is a natural part of the honey bee colony's reproduction cycle. As a beekeeper, you may wonder if you should allow your bees to swarm or take measures to prevent it.
Our guide examines the pros and cons of letting bees swarm to help you make an informed decision for your apiary. What we do at Vegas Bees is always let them swarm if they want to.
What is Honey Bee Swarming?
Swarming occurs when the queen bee leaves the colony with a large group of worker bees to create a new hive elsewhere. This usually happens when a hive becomes overcrowded.
Prior to swarming, queen cells were created to raise new virgin queens for the parent colony. Once the first virgin queen emerges, the old queen exits with the swarm.
Scouts are sent out from the swarm to find a new homestead while the swarm temporarily clusters on a nearby branch or structure.
Once a site is chosen, the swarm relocates to build honeycomb and start a new hive. The parent colony continues on with a new laying queen.
Natural Benefits of Bee Swarming
Promotes Genetic Diversity: Swarming leads to new colonies with diverse genetics, improving adaptations.
Controls Overcrowding: Bees swarm to relieve congestion in the parent hive.
Reduces Aggression: Older bees leave with the old queen, reducing defensive behavior.
Allows Propagation: Swarming is the primary means of propagation for honey bee colonies.
Potential Downsides of Letting Bees Swarm
Loss of Worker Bees: Up to 50% of the worker population leaves the parent colony, impacting honey production.
Risk of Losing the Swarm: Swarms that abscond may not be retrievable if they nest in inaccessible areas.
Alarming to Neighbors: Large swarms clustering near homes can cause concern for those unfamiliar with bees.
Resource Investment Loss: For commercial operations, losing half the working bee population from a hive is a significant loss.
When Do Honey Bees Swarm?
Honey bees typically swarm in spring or early summer when the colony has maximized population and food storage. However, bees can swarm throughout summer and into fall in some regions.
Signs that a colony is preparing to swarm include:
Queen cells are being built
Overcrowding
Lack of space for the queen to lay eggs
Congestion of food stores around the brood nest
Methods to Control or Prevent Swarming
If you wish to minimize swarming in your apiary, here are some techniques:
Regular hive inspections to spot queen cells and overcrowding
Adding extra supers and frames to provide ample room
Splitting robust hives preemptively
Requeening colonies annually
Removing queen cells manually
Equalizing hive strength by moving frames between hives
Benefits of Capturing Swarms
If you do experience swarms, having spare equipment on hand to capture them has advantages:
Free bees! Captured swarms can be added to new hives.
Genetic diversity through swarm queens.
Rapid growth and honey production from swarm colonies.
No need to purchase packaged bees or nucleus colonies.
Tips for Capturing Swarms
Have hive equipment ready - spare boxes, frames, lid, etc.
Scoop up swarms gently into a ventilated cardboard box or bee cage.
Cover the swarm with a light sheet to keep them contained during transport.
Hive the swarm quickly so bees can get oriented to their new home.
Provide ample food and draw comb to get swarm colonies established fast.
Add the queen excluder once eggs and brood are present.
Deciding If You Should Let Bees Swarm
Ultimately, the choice comes down to your specific goals as a beekeeper. Here are some final points to consider:
Hobbyists may find the process fascinating and prefer to mimic natural systems.
For maximum honey harvesting, preventing swarming across all hives is preferable.
Weigh the risks of swarm loss against the benefits of rapid propagation and genetic diversity.
Swarming honey bees are generally docile and easy to capture safely.
Understanding both the advantages and disadvantages of letting bees swarm empowers you to determine the best practices for your own apiary. Adapt your swarm management plan according to your needs as a beekeeper.
Betsy and Pete
Las Vegas, Nevada
About Us: The Authors
We're Betsy and Pete, passionate Las Vegas beekeepers trained by a master in the field. With hundreds of successful bee and bee swarm removals under our belts, we're not just experts; we're enthusiasts committed to the well-being of these incredible pollinators.
We manage dozens of beehives, both natural and honey-bearing at our Joshua Tree Preserve.
Our Commitment to Excellence
We believe education is an ongoing journey, especially in a field as dynamic as beekeeping. That's why we're continually updating our knowledge base, collaborating with other experts, and staying up to date with the latest advancements in bee control methods and beekeeping practices.
We also provide top-tier beekeeping supplies, offering everything a beekeeper needs, from beginners to experts.
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