How to Find Bee Hives: A Complete Guide

Finding a bee hive in the wild can be an exciting adventure. Here is a complete guide on how to locate and identify bee hives whether in trees rock crevices, or even building walls.

Where to Look for Bee Hives

You are much more likely to find honey bee hives in hollow trees or rock crevices than dangling from a tree branch. Honey bees tend to build their hives in more protected areas. Here are the top places to search when looking for feral bee hives:

• Hollow Trees Dead or damaged trees with hollow trunks or limbs are prime real estate for bee colonies. Search for holes and cavities in large old trees. Oak maple, birch, elm, and cottonwood trees are common choices.

• Rock Crevices: Bees will often build hives in rock cracks and crevices, like cliff faces or boulder piles. Search for small openings between rocks that can shelter a colony.

• Building Walls Though less common bee colonies may also settle inside walls of barns, sheds or houses. Listen and watch for bee activity around vents, cracks, or small holes.

• Abandoned Hives: Keep an eye out for old, empty bee boxes that previous beekeepers may have left behind. Bees may move into these ready-made hives.

• Underground: On very rare occasions, bees may nest underground in existing holes or cavities. You’re unlikely to find these hives.

Signs of Bee Activity

When searching possible hive locations, look for these signs of bee activity:

• Flying bees entering and exiting holes or cracks in a patterned traffic flow. Be patient, it may take time to spot them coming and going.

• Audible buzzing sounds emanating from a tree, crevice, or wall. Get close and listen carefully.

• Evidence of “bee pollen” gathered around an entrance hole. This appears as yellow, orange, or brown powder.

• Droppings and wax particles beneath entrances as bees clean the hive. Flecks of wax and piled up “bee poop” help confirm activity.

• Strong honey smell, especially on hot days when the hive is open.

Following Bee Lines

If you spot foraging worker bees in an area, you can attempt to follow them back to their colony using a method called “bee lining.” Here’s a simple process:

• Choose a vantage point with a clear view of bee flight paths.

• Observe bees carrying pollen or nectar back to their hive.

• Pick out an individual bee and keep your eyes glued on it. Note the direct path it flies.

• Use landmarks like trees or buildings to follow its flight path for as long as possible.

• Continue observing additional bees and tracing their paths back to converge on the hive location.

• Mark the suspected hive area and search thoroughly when the bee traffic stops.

When to Look for Hives

Your odds of locating bee hives improve during certain times of year:

• Spring to Summer: Bees are busily building up colonies and foraging. More activity makes hives easier to spot.

• Early Morning Hours: Dawn is when scout bees often search for new food sources. More bees will be entering and leaving the hive.

• Warm Afternoons: Hives are open as bees work to cool the colony on hot days. Watch entrances for traffic.

• Fall: Colonies are winding down and preparing for winter. Foraging increases to store away food reserves.

What to Do if You Find a Hive

If you manage to locate a feral bee hive, enjoy the discovery! Observe it from a distance and do not disturb the colony. Some tips:

• Identify what type of bees you’ve found. Capturing honey bees requires special techniques.

• Photograph the hive entrance or location if possible. Mark it on a GPS to find again.

• Let local beekeepers know of swarms that could be captured and used.

• Leave the hive alone and give bees ample space. Do not light smoke or attempt to invade.

Finding a bee hive in nature takes luck, patience, and the right habitat. But the search can be just as rewarding as the discovery. Use these tips to start seeking out wild honey bee colonies near you. With some persistence, you may uncover the honey hoard of your dreams.