Swarming is the natural means of reproduction of honey bee colonies. Swarming bees gather in clusters and are unlikely to sting. However, it’s important to keep a good distance from the swarm as they may become aggressive if provoked. If the bees feel threatened, they will use their stingers and release a pheromone to alert the other bees of the threat, resulting in a more significant bee attack. Swarms in walls or ceilings are almost impossible to remove and you will probably have to call an exterminator. Swarms in other places (often in trees) can be collected by grateful beekeepers and used to establish a new hive.
If you are aware of a swarm, please contact an MBA member, either Steve on 021501676 or John (by text please: 027 418 1436) who will come and collect it or organise someone who can.
If you are in Picton with a swarm, please contact Cath of Urban Bees (who are based in Picton) on 021 288 2606.
If you’re a member of the MBA and would like to start off your own bee colony with a swarm, then get in touch with Steve and ask him to put your name down on the “swarm list”. When your name reaches the top of this list they will either tell you where the swarm is for you to collect or we can collect the swarm for you. There is no cost for this but a donation towards fuel costs would be appreciated. It is important that you have in readiness a hive made up of a bottom board, brood box, undrawn frames and hive lid.