Swarms of bees

Bee swarming is a natural and fascinating behaviour exhibited by honeybee colonies. Swarming typically occurs in the spring or early summer when a colony has outgrown its current hive and needs to establish a new one.

There are several reasons why bees swarm:

1. Population Expansion: As the colony grows, it becomes congested within its hive. This congestion triggers a response to split the colony and create a new one.

2. Queen's Egg-laying Capacity: The current hive's queen might be ageing or less productive in laying eggs. To ensure the survival and vitality of the colony, the bees create a new queen.

3. Environmental Conditions: External factors such as favourable weather conditions, increased nectar flow, and the availability of food sources can influence swarming behaviour.

4. The swarming process typically begins with scout bees searching for a suitable location for the new hive. Once found, the colony prepares to swarm, with the old queen leaving the hive accompanied by a large group of worker bees. This cluster of bees can be seen temporarily hanging from a branch or other structures.

As our presence grew in the realm of beekeeping during the warmer summer months, we found ourselves actively collecting swarms of bees from various locations in the Furness area. These swarms would often find temporary rest in people's gardens or even decide to make homes in sheds and houses. Our schedule became quite hectic with numerous call-outs related to bee swarms, and we anticipate a similar bustling scenario in the future. For beekeepers, though, this surge in swarm activity presents an opportune time to both save and expand their apiaries.

In our swarm-collecting endeavours, we extended a helping hand to friends by donating some of the bees we had gathered. This act enabled friends to embark on their own beekeeping journey. With a growing interest in beekeeping, many individuals are drawn to the idea of managing just one hive. However, the reality can unfold differently, as bees naturally incline toward swarming. Beekeepers often intervene with strategies like adaptations or "splits" to mitigate swarming, addressing concerns of overcrowding or environmental factors. These interventions typically occur during the spring, allowing beekeepers to channel the remaining bees' focus toward honey production, ensuring their survival through the winter months.

We also collaborated with local pest control services to ensure we could save the bees

We have a large aim within the future to rescue and provide shelter for swarms within the future if you have any issues and are local to the furness areas bee sure contact us.