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6 Comments

Swarm Season – Hiving Honey Bee Swarms

This is the time of year in our area that the honey bees start swarming. They’ve been active Swarm Season via Better Hens and Gardenssince spring and there has been lots of good bloom going on, so the hives have grown and some are becoming crowded.

As soon as a queen notices her hive’s becoming a little crowded, she’ll lay some queen cells and when one hatches out, she leaves and takes part of the original hive with her in a “swarm”. I was working down in our garden (which our hives surround), and noticed that one of the hives had swarmed and the bees were temporarily camping out on our raspberries.

Catching the swarm and homing it in a new hive is an easy way to increase your bee hive numbers, so I’m always on the lookout for swarms during the summer.

Most folks think that catching a swarm and homing it in a hive is difficult, but it’s really very easy. 

Bee Swarm on Raspberries

That’s because honey bees are at their most docile when they’re swarming. They’re no longer protecting a home, they’re looking for a home – so they tend to be very easy to handle when they’re swarming. 

Bee Swarm Closeup

Getting them into a new home is as simple as picking up as much of the swarm as possible (notice that he’s not even using gloves),

Picking Up The Swarm

and dropping them into their new home.

Hiving The Swarm

 Wasn’t that easy? As long as you’ve captured the queen in the hive, everything should go well.

Hiving Success

Now just put the hive lid back on,

Adding the Hive Lid

And wait for all the bees that didn’t make it in with the swarm to find their way into the hive. 

Bees Finding HomeBy the time night falls, all of the bees will have made it into the new hive (they’re following the scent of the queen), and it can be moved to its new location.

New Hive in the Bee Yard

And here’s the new hive the next day, it looks like activity is normal, and the bees are busy getting their new home in order. 

I’m very sure it’s swarm season now, because we got another call today to pick up another swarm!

Related posts:

7 Important Questions To Ask Before Getting Honey Bees
Inspect A Honeybee Hive After Installing A Queen
8 Honey Bee Hive Inspection Tips
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Filed Under: Hive Management, Honey Bees

About Lesa

Lesa Wilke is a homesteader and freelance writer who loves to inspire others on their journey to more sustainable lifestyles. She accomplishes this by sharing the skills she’s learned (plus support, advice & tips) while farming goats, chickens, honeybees, and produce.

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Comments

  1. Amanda says

    June 27, 2015 at 10:33 pm

    We are on the lookout for bees too. Hoping to catch a swarm to make an even 6 hives this year.

    Great post! Just over from simple Saturday.

    Reply

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