A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Swarming Bees

I saw a sight that was really amazing just over an hour ago- swarming bees- thousands of them. The noise they made was like a dull roar. They seem to be concentrated in the hedge that lines our yard.

The air was just brown with them they were so thick. From what information I can find on the Internet they are Honey bees and are looking to establish a queen and a colony.

I know Honey Bees are important to our ecology, but my worry is that they will try to set up residence in the structure of our house. We are in the process of doing a lot of work on the outside of our house- pulling off old siding, etc and getting ready to paint. Does anyone know of a way we can keep them from getting into our house?

So far I haven't seen any solutions to keep them away on the internet- only what to do when they have already moved in- I want to keep that from happening!

Thanks for any help!

Sandy

Can you give them a home with a honey bee
thing... *I can't remember what the exact name
of the thing is called..*

It's a wooden box..
And they'd be more likely to go to it, and just stay content there...dunno.....

*I would love to have a hive... but I live in town and it's a no~no...*

Let me see if Beebiz is around....
He's got a hive and knows a bit about those guys...

**I loveeeeeee honey bees....*

Sandy said: Hey Sandy, you are quite right about it being an amazing site. And usually a rather intimidating one too!! But, they probably won't bother you personally unless you go over and disturb them. So, unless you have experience with honey bees, be curious from a distance!!


Sandy said: That's partially correct. Swarming is the way that bees multiply their colony. There are many reasons for a hive of bees to swarm, but the most common ones are overcrowding in the hive or an old queen who is either a weak egg layer or sick.

When the right conditions exist, the workers (females in the colony) will take some of the larve and encase them in a queen cell. They will then begin feeding them royal jelly so that they will develop into queens.

When they hatch out, one of the new queens will kill off all of the other new queens and leave the old queen alone. Soon, the new queen leaves the hive and mates with a drone (the males of the colony), and then returns to the hive.

Soon after the new queen returns, the old queen will take about 1/2 of the hive with her and leave. The old queen and the workers find a place to "hang out" while scout bees (also females) search for a suitable new home/hive. That is the part that you are witnessing right now.


Sandy said: Sandy, I will make two recommendations here. The first is try to find a local beekeeper who will come and get the swarm. If you don't know one, call your local police department, sheriff department, or fire department. Many of those departments keep a list of who to call for swarm removal. But, Do not call 911!! They do not consider a swarm of bees to be an emergency!!

I don't know about the beekeepers in your area, but around here they will gladly come and get the swarm at no charge. But, there are some beekeepers in other places that will charge for the swarm removal, and prices vary.

If you can't find a beekeeper to come and get the swarm, this is my next suggestion. At the end of each work day, make sure that all possible entries to the house are bee-proofed! Remember that a honeybee only requires just under 3/8" of space to get through!

When honeybees swarm, they don't like to stay without a home for long because they realize that they are vulnerable to the elements and predators. So even if you can't find a local beekeeper that will come get them, they will probably move on within 24 hours. Two days was the longest that I've ever seen a swarm hang around before moving on.

Even when this swarm is gone, keep in mind that honeybees are begining their swarming season right now. So, just because you get rid of this bunch of girls, it's no sign that there won't be another one drop in on you!! Because of that, I would always try to bee-proof the house at the end of the work day.

Oh, I just happened to think of something else. Most all states have a beekeeper's association. I noticed that your profile says that you are in Virginia. I found a site called "Tidewater Beekeeper's Association." They claim to be the largest local beekeeper's association in Virginia. To find them, click here . They don't have any local beekeepers listed, but they do have a list of beekeepers (some have phone numbers available) who have honey for sale. Click on the "Local Honey For Sale" link on the lower left-hand side of the page.

I hope this helps you out. If it weren't so far from my home in West Tennessee to where you are, I would be more than happy to come and get the swarm from you. But, I don't think either you or I would be willing to pay for the gas that it would take to make that round trip!! Again, I hope this helps!

Bee good,
Robert

Hey Weezie,

I tried to reply to your PM, but it said your box was full. I just wanted to say thanks for emailing me and let you know that I'd be glad to help if I could.

The wooden box "thing" to which you refer is called a hive! The hive to which I refer is called a Top Bar Hive (TBH). And, one of these days, I'm going to add information about them to my site! But right now, I just don't have the time!!!


Weezie said: Girl, you can have honeybees anywhere.... even in the city!! Click here and check out the "city bees!"


Weezie said:**I loveeeeeee honey bees....*[/quote]

So do I!!! They are the hardest working creatures that I know of. And the honey that they produce is truley the "nectar of the gods!!"

Gotta run for now. Hope I was of some help. But, I know that the weekend is not exactly the best time to try to get a swarm of bees removed..... but, you can't tell the girls that!!!

Later,
Robert

Hi to Robert and Weezi!

I can't begin to thank you for all the wonderful information! I totally enjoyed every word- thank you Robert- your advice and wisdom is grand!