As the weather warms up and we get further into spring, the queen bees are busy building their population and adding to the workforce. There’s a lot of foraging to do and honey to be produced which requires a lot of workers! However, as the population grows, there is the possibility of the colony getting too large for their hive and swarming.
Also, sometimes bees become unhappy with their hive. They are very particular about the conditions of their hive, especially the internal temperature and humidity. A hive that is too densely populated will create too much heat and allow for less ventilation, which can lead to a hot and humid hive. Hot weather can make the situation worse and eventually lead the bees to swarm, as they try to alleviate the unpleasant hive conditions.
When Do Bees Swarm?
A bee swarm usually occurs during the spring, between March and May, when a wide variety of plants are in bloom and nectar and pollen resources are plentiful. In the spring, the hive will experience a great deal of population growth as the bees come out of winter and prepare to forage from the freshly blooming flowers.
Later in the summer, the forage becomes less plentiful and the chances of a swarm establishing themselves in a new hive and building enough resources to make thru winter are lower so they will less frequently swarm after July or August
What Should I Do If I See A Swarm?
Remember that a swarm is a natural process that bees go through to reproduce. They are not aggressive and they are not dangerous. It is extremely important that we do everything we can to help their survival. If a swarm relocates under a house or in a shed, there is a chance that the owner of the property where they relocate to will choose to eliminate them. By calling out a professional beekeeper to remove the bees, you will be doing your part to help the bee population survive and give the swarm the best chance of survival.