The first time I experienced a swarm of bees, I was filled with both awe and terror. Awe as I witnessed the massive bee tornado encompassing my entire backyard. And terror as I watched a hive I’d spent so much effort trying to maintain, readying itself to leave. What causes bees to swarm or not to swarm? That is the question pondered by a number of beekeepers this time of year.
The most obvious reason for swarming is overcrowding. When there are too many bees for one hive, the queen makes the decision to split the colony. She sends out scouts to look for another appropriate home. At a time solely decided by the monarch, she lays “queen cells” in the hive then leads over half of the worker bees away to their new abode.
Even if the beekeeper faithfully keeps adding more boxes to the colony, the queen may still abdicate the hive. The remaining worker bees nurture the queen cells with royal jelly (yes, it’s really called that) until new queens emerge. These virgin queens vie for control of the hive until only one remains. Then she must take a flight out of the hive to mate. Drones are the only male bees in the colony. Once the queen bee has successfully mated with several drones, she returns to the hive to start laying eggs.
But this whole process, can take over a month from queen cell to a mature laying queen. This greatly slows down the ability of the colony to store up pollen and produce honey for the upcoming winter months. So, why swarm at all if there are enough hive boxes for the growing number of bees?
No one fully understands bee behavior, but some believe the answer is two-fold. By splinting the hive, the total bee population spreads over a wider area, increasing the potential for pollination. In addition, swarming interrupts the life cycle of one of the greatest threats to the health of the colony: the varroa mite. This is a natural way the bees decrease infestation in the hive without the need for chemical treatments by the beekeeper.
Even though swarming is a behavior necessary to maintain a healthy bee population, it’s still frustrating as a beekeeper. If I see queen cells in the hive, I have the option of splitting the hive myself. This takes skill on the part of the beekeeper to choose when and how best to do this. In the worst-case scenario, the hive swarms anyway, and then I hope they land in a low spot so I can catch them. If successful, I’ve gained another hive. If not, hopefully another beekeeper will capture and give them a new home.
Now that you understand a bit more about honeybees, be observant, and watch for large gatherings of bees on branches or bushes in your neighborhood. Remember. Most honeybees are docile when the colony is on the move.
Never destroy a swarm out of fear but absolutely keep your distance if you are allergic to stings. Call a local beekeeper to collect them. If bees have set up a hive in the walls or attic of your home, you may need a specialist to remove them. Your state apiarist would be a good reference source of qualified individuals for this task.
Why is this information important? It is estimated that between 75% and 95% of all flowering plants, need the help of pollinators to reproduce. And at least 35% of global food crops depend on it. Caring for our pollinators, especially the honeybee, is the responsibility of every person. This is an obligation we must take seriously. These tiny insects may seem insignificant and their behavior odd, but the very survival of the planet hinges on the existence and longevity of the bee.
