The most likely time of year to see a swarm of bees is April and May, when the weather has warmed up. That means we are just about in bee swarming season now.
Corey Stevens of Stevens Bee Company in Missouri says that most hives swarm at least once in a season, with some colonies swarming as many as three or four times. Swarming is more likely in places where there is an abundance of nectar, because the bounty makes bees feel secure in expanding and producing new queens.
Some people get scared when they see a swarm of bees, while others are awe-struck at the majestic beauty of so many bees moving in unison.
This unrelated 9:11-minute video by That 1870’s Homestead shows an ‘Old Beekeepers’ trick for successful SWARM traps:
According to most beekeepers, usually a swarm of bees is non-aggressive and has no desire to sting humans. Worker bees are clever, and they know that when they sting, they die.
If you should find a swarm of bees on your property, it is usually best, unless you are a beekeeper yourself, to contact a local beekeeper, apiary, or beekeeping association to come and collect the swarm of bees. This is better for the bees since they face many hazards including frightened people when they are on the loose.
Bees are vital to humanity and the earth, and they pollinate our food. The last thing you want to do, even if you are scared, is to try to kill swarming bees. This would be a tragic and pointless loss of life, and of hard-working insects.
Swarming bees may feel vulnerable because they are on the move, having left their home behind. They are trying to find a new home. Stay back and respect their space.
If someone tries to kill them, it could make them aggressive, and possibly lead to an easily avoidable situation where people that are spraying or swatting them become endangered and get stung.
BEE kind to bees! Fill your heart with thanks for the swarming bees, and enjoy a memorable encounter.