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California Swarm Season: Join the Swarmed Network

February 13, 2026

Winter in California might not look like winter anywhere else, and for beekeepers, that means preparing for an early swarm season. With milder temperatures, honey bee colonies can become active sooner, increasing the likelihood of swarms as early as February or March. Are you ready to grow your apiary with free bees?

Why Join Swarmed?

As a California beekeeper, being part of the Swarmed network offers several key advantages:

Free Local Swarm Alerts: Receive real-time notifications about nearby swarms, giving you a head start in swarm rescue.
No Commitment: Participate as much or as little as you like. There are no mandatory quotas or fees.
Healthy Bees: Expand your apiary with robust, locally adapted bees.

With over 600 beekeepers on the Swarmed network in California, you'll be joining a community of dedicated individuals committed to protecting honey bee colonies. Swarmed facilitates the connection between beekeepers and community members who spot swarms, ensuring these valuable pollinators are rescued instead of exterminated.

Preparing for an Early Swarm Season

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for the upcoming swarm season:

Inspect Your Hives: Check your colonies for signs of overcrowding, such as queen cells.
Prepare Swarm Traps: Position swarm traps in strategic locations to attract swarms.
Monitor Local Reports: Stay informed about swarm activity in your area by joining the Swarmed network.

How Swarmed Works

Report Submitted: A community member reports a swarm on the Swarmed platform.
Instant Notifications: Nearby beekeepers receive instant alerts via SMS or WhatsApp (Contributor feature).
Swarm Rescue: The beekeeper rescues the swarm, providing a new home for the bees.

Join the Swarmed Network Today!

Don't miss out on the opportunity to expand your apiary with free swarms this season. Join the Swarmed network today and become part of a community dedicated to protecting honey bees:

https://beeswarmed.org/beekeeper-signup (opens in a new tab)

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