WHAT SHOULD HOME OWNERS DO ABOUT HONEY BEE SWARMS ON THEIR PROPERTY?
When honey bees swarm they will settle on a tree limb, bush, or other convenient site. The cohesiveness of the swarm is due to their attraction to a pheromone produced by the queen. The swarm will send out scout bees to seek a cavity to nest in and will move on when a suitable nesting site is found. Rarely, swarms may initiate comb construction in the open if a suitable cavity cannot be found. You may want to call one of the local beekeepers listed above to see if he/she would like to collect the swarm. Late season swarms are of less value to beekeepers, but we will be glad to help you with the problem. A traditional poem advises: A swarm in May – is worth a load of hay. A swarm in June – is worth a silver spoon. A swarm in July – isn’t worth a fly. 6.HOW DOES A BEEKEEPER CAPTURE A SWARM OF HONEY BEES? A swarm is looking for a new nesting site. A beekeeper can capture a swarm by placing a suitable container, such as an empty beehive, on the ground below the swarm and dislodging the bee
