Swarms and Swarm Collection
What is a swarm?
A swarm is a rugby ball shaped mass of bees. It is usually clinging to somethings like a branch, gatepost or fence, although sometimes they cling to some very interesting and challenging places!
A swarm is not dangerous as the bees are intent on their own matters, but it is wise to keep a distance. It is an astonishing sight when you see a swarm for the first time and gives a sense of the wonder of a bee colony.
What causes a swarm?
A honey bee swarm in late spring/ early summer is a natural occurrence. When a successful colony of bees decides that they need to split due to the hive becoming overcrowded, a large number of bees will leave the hive with the queen bee. If you find a swarm, it is on its way to a new location (which will already have been selected by scout bees). This can be regarded as a method of colony reproduction as one ‘superorganism’ is becoming two. The bees remaining in the original hive will produce a new queen to continue the colony.
If you spot a swarm…
Swarms are valuable to beekeepers as it gives them a chance to increase their apiary (a group of hives). If you spot a swarm we encourage you to find a local beekeeper to come and collect the bees. It is a fascinating procedure to watch.
If you have a swarm of bees or see one settled somewhere in Stowmarket or surrounding areas, there is an interactive map which allows you to find a beekeeper nearby who will be able to give advice and/or collect the bees.
A swarm of bees being collected