Today, the demand for organic honey and pollination services have seen swarms of bees turning up in locations they’re not naturally found. It’s not unusual to see honey bees in an urban environment but when you start seeing them in suburban backyards or on golf courses that is a cause for concern.
This increase in the number of honey bees has resulted in many homeowners asking how they manage a swarm and relocate bees to a new location.
Below, we’ll explain what a swarm is, how to safely manage one and where you can relocate your hives if necessary.
How do you transfer a swarm of bees?
When you see a swarm of bees, it’s best to leave them alone. A swarm is simply a group of honey bees that are suddenly surrounded by other honey bees. They have no idea where they came from or where they should go. If you disturb them, they could get angry and sting you or someone around you.
To avoid this situation, it’s best to try and keep them in one place until there is a way for them to relocate safely on their own. You can also put up a “No Swarming” sign in your yard or property that will not only deter the bees from swarming but also help keep pets and children safe from the nuisance.
How long does it take bees to reorient to new location?
A swarm can be quite large, consisting of hundreds or even thousands of individual bees. For this reason, it is not a practical option to relocate the whole swarm. The best course of action is to relocate the queen bee to a new location and watch for her return. You will know she has returned when you see honey bees flying back into your hive.
Once the queen bee has been relocated, you will need to wait for a period of time before you can release any bees from the old location.
If you’re worried about releasing too many bees too soon, you may want to check with local authorities about the required legal procedures in your area before doing so.
How do you relocate bees without killing them?
The first step in relocating bees is to trap the swarm. This must be done before you relocate them because if you catch the swarm in an open area, it will be easy for them to spread and for other bees to join them. You can use a variety of methods to trap a swarm such as using a bee suit or opening their hive with a smoker. Once you capture the swarm, you’ll need to move them to another hive with plenty of room.
Can you relocate a colony of bees?
A swarm of bees is a group of honey bees that have left the hive. They can often be seen flying in groups and are typically quite active. If you spot a swarm of honey bees, it’s best to leave them alone as they will go back to their hives on their own.
If you are interested in relocating a colony of bees, you’ll want to keep in mind that these types of bee colonies are well established and may not be willing or able to move. In this scenario, it would be best if you find an empty hive and allow the bees to move into that location. The relocation process for a colony should also include removing all the frames from that hive before transporting it.
The best way to manage swarms is through education so if there is any chance you might encounter one, make sure you know what they look like and what they do when they show up at your place.
