Swarming is the way honey bee colonies reproduce. It is a natural occurrence that happens during the early spring and summer. Roughly half the bees in a colony along with the queen leave the hive looking for a new home. Once the bees leave the colony, they will form a cluster in a tree, bush or on the side of a structure until they find a permanent home.

 

The bees are typically docile while swarming but it is not advisable to disturb or get close to the cluster. Do not spray water on the bees or disturb them in any way. You will only upset the bees.

 

Before calling a beekeeper

You want to make sure you have a swarm of bees, rather than a large number of bees flying around a bush or tree. A swarm of bees will form a distinct cluster.

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If you have a honey bee swarm, below is a list of beekeepers that will remove the swarm for you. There is no charge for removing a swarm if it is in the open and easily accessible. However, if the bees have moved into a structure where they cannot be reached without removing boards or other materials, there may be a charge.

 

The beekeeper will safely move the swarm of bees to their bee yard and place them in a hive to start their new home. Most swarms in the wild do not survive more than a year. Having a beekeeper collect your swarm increases the chances the bees will survive a long time.

 

Be prepared when calling the beekeeper

When you call, a beekeeper will ask you a few questions about the swarm. The beekeeper wants to make sure they have the equipment needed to collect the swarm. Please be prepared to answer the following questions.

 

• How long has the swarm been on your property?

• Where has the swarm gathered; tree branch, side of house, on a fence?

• How far off the ground is the swarm?

• Does the beekeeper have access to where the swarm is located?

• Roughly how large is the swarm; size of a softball, soccer ball, larger than a basketball?

 

The list of beekeepers below is sorted by township so you can find a beekeeper close to you. If you are not able to reach a beekeeper, you can call more than one.