Active Bees in Winter? What to Do in Georgia

Seeing honey bees in the middle of winter can be surprising. While swarm season is typically associated with warmer months, certain conditions can lead to active bees even in winter. If you spot a cluster of bees on your property in Georgia, here's what you should do.

Is It Really a Swarm?

First, determine if you're seeing a swarm or just active bees from an established hive. A swarm is a large group of bees, often clustered on a tree branch or building. They're usually docile and are in the process of finding a new home. Established hives, on the other hand, have built comb inside a structure like a wall or shed.

What to Do If You Find a Bee Cluster

• Stay Calm and Keep a Safe Distance: Honey bee swarms are generally not aggressive, but it's best to keep children and pets away. Maintain a distance of at least 10-15 feet.
• Report the Swarm: Contacting a local beekeeper is the best course of action. Many beekeepers are happy to rescue swarms, providing them with a new home and preventing the need for extermination.
• Do Not Disturb: Avoid spraying or throwing objects at the bees. This can agitate them and make them defensive.

How Swarmed Can Help

Swarmed connects people who find honey bee swarms with local beekeepers who can safely rescue them. It's a free service that helps protect honey bees and supports local beekeepers. Here's how it works:

1. Report the swarm: Submit a report on beeswarmed.org/report-bee-colony (opens in a new tab) with details about the location and size of the cluster.
2. AI Verification: Swarmed's AI helps identify if it's honey bees and alerts local beekeepers.
3. Beekeeper Rescue: Nearby beekeepers are notified and can claim the swarm for rescue.

Swarm vs. Established Hive: What's the Difference?

It's important to distinguish between a swarm and an established hive. Swarms are temporary clusters and are usually rescued at no cost. Established hives, however, require specialized removal services (cutouts) that often involve structural work and repairs. These removals usually incur a cost, which the beekeeper will quote based on the complexity of the job.

Protect Honey Bees and Support Local Beekeepers

By reporting bee swarms, you play a vital role in protecting these essential pollinators. Swarmed has helped protect over 150 million bees and saved beekeepers over $500,000 in replacement costs.

**Found a swarm? Report it now on beeswarmed.org/report-bee-colony (opens in a new tab) and help connect these bees with a local beekeeper!**