How to Safely Report and Handle a Bee Swarm | Swarmed

Encountering a bee swarm can be an intimidating experience, especially if you are not familiar with these fascinating creatures. However, understanding what to do when you spot a swarm can help ensure both your safety and the well-being of the bees. This guide will provide you with clear steps to take when you come across a bee swarm and how to safely report it using Swarmed (opens in a new tab).

Step 1: Stay Calm and Observe

First and foremost, stay calm. Bees in a swarm are typically docile as they are not protecting a hive with honey and brood. They’re simply looking for a new home. Take a moment to observe from a safe distance (about 10-15 feet away). Notice the size of the swarm and their behavior. If the bees are flying in a cluster and relatively calm, it’s a good sign that they are just resting while scout bees look for a new nesting site.

Step 2: Do Not Disturb the Bees

It’s important not to disturb the bees. Avoid loud noises, sudden movements, or attempting to spray them with water or insecticide. Disturbing the swarm can make the bees agitated and more likely to sting. Remember, they are not interested in attacking you; they are just looking for a new home.

Step 3: Identify the Swarm

If you can, take note of where the swarm is located and how accessible it is. Is it high up in a tree, on a fence, or near a building? This information will be helpful when you report the swarm. Also, try to estimate the size of the swarm. Is it as big as a football, a basketball, or even larger?

• Understanding the Difference Between Swarms and Colonies

It’s important to distinguish between a bee swarm and a colony of bees that has established itself in a specific space.

• Bee Swarm: A swarm is a large group of bees that have left their original hive with the old queen to find a new home. Swarming usually happens in the spring and early summer. The bees cluster together temporarily, often in a tree or another structure, while scout bees search for a suitable new location. Swarms are generally not aggressive as they do not have a hive to defend.
• Bee Colony: A colony, on the other hand, is an established group of bees that have set up a permanent hive. This could be in a beehive, a hollow tree, or even within the walls of a building. Colonies are defensive of their home and can be more aggressive if they feel threatened. Removing a colony often requires more complex procedures and takes a skilled professional. A Swarmed beekeeper may quote you a fair price for this removal work.

Knowing the difference helps in understanding the urgency and approach needed. Swarms are temporary and usually easy to relocate, while established colonies require careful and often professional intervention. Ensure you are aware of any regulations or permits required in your area to avoid legal issues and ensure the safe and ethical treatment of bees.

Step 4: Report the Swarm on Swarmed

Now that you have observed and identified the swarm, it’s time to report it. Swarmed makes this process simple and efficient. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Visit the Swarmed Website: Go to beeswarmed.org (opens in a new tab) and click Report a Swarm (opens in a new tab).

1. Fill Out the Form: Provide details about the swarm’s location, size, and behavior. Include your contact information so that a local beekeeper can reach out to you if necessary. Your information will only be shared with the responding beekeeper.

1. Submit the Report: Once you’ve filled out all the necessary information, submit the report. Your report will be sent to a network of local beekeepers who can respond quickly, oftentimes within 15-30 minutes.

Step 5: Wait for a Beekeeper to Arrive

After reporting the swarm, a local beekeeper will typically reach out to you and arrange a time to come and collect the swarm. Beekeepers are skilled at safely capturing and relocating bee swarms. They usually bring specialized equipment like a bee box, a brush, and sometimes a ladder if the swarm is high up.

Why Saving Bee Swarms is Important

Honey bees are crucial pollinators in our ecosystem, playing a significant role in the production of fruits, vegetables, and flowers. By safely reporting and saving bee swarms, you are contributing to the health of the environment and supporting local agriculture.

Encountering a bee swarm doesn’t have to be a scary experience. By staying calm, observing from a distance, and using Swarmed to report the swarm, you can ensure the safety of both yourself and the bees. Remember, bee swarms are a natural and important part of a honey bee colony's lifecycle. Your quick and safe reporting helps protect these vital pollinators.

For more information or to report a swarm, visit beeswarmed.org (opens in a new tab)

Happy beekeeping!