Swarm Photo Gallery

Swarming is the method by which bee colonies naturally reproduce and carry on its genetics. Splitting your hive and other swarm control techniques are part of being a good beekeeping neighbor. If you fail to split your hives in the spring here are some possible places they could land.

If you split your hives and they still swarm you should know how to catch the swarm or know someone that can help you. Uncontrolled swarming can upset neighbors and result in complaints from local authorities or poisoning of the bees. Catching swarms keeps the neighborhood happy and gives you free bees.

Swarm in an apple tree. Spring 2022
This swarm was caught by placing a trap on top of the ladder
and knocking the majority of the bees off of the branch and into the trap.

Some more swarms including the biggest of the year with the keeper for scale!

Catching a swarm found in a pine tree. The initial clump was knocked mostly into the box. The workers are moving in to the box on their own so it appears that the queen is in there. The keeper is putting the lid back on so the queen will be comfotable in the dark and stay put. And now we wait.

Once you get the queen in the box just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. The march of the bees is a fascinating phenomenon to watch. By dusk every bee was cozy inside.

Setting up traps can be a good way to catch swarms.
After a previous swarm had landed in this spot a trap was put up and another swarm found it and moved in.

When swarms aren't controlled or caught right away they can become a problem. They will make a home in any cavity that seems suitable. If they are lucky, the homeowner will be willing to call someone to come safely remove them to a new home.