Once again we are approaching swarm season – on the island this can start as early as April but most swarming seems to happen throughout May and June. If you find a swarm of bees you can find more information about swarms and what to do on our swarm page (there is also a list of beekeepers who can collect them here too).
Swarms can appear and settle in all sorts of places, they can be quite frightening to some people but they are generally quite docile as long as they are left alone. Beekeepers can often collect them safely, they will be taken away and rehomed in a hive. Swarming is a natural process and it is how honey bee colonies reproduce – a single colony splits into two (or more) colonies. The existing queen and a large number of bees fly to a new location as a swarm to build a new colony whilst a new queen takes over the existing swarmed colony. Beekeepers can try to control swarming using various methods, splitting colonies is one example.
The main thing to do if you find a swarm is not to worry – best thing is to keep your distance, not provoke the swarm and use the contact information on our swarm page to get some help – hopefully a beekeeper will be able to safely collect the swarm and find them a new home.
