Seeing a large swarm of buzzing bees suddenly descend upon your property can be an alarming experience. Swarms are formed when a bee colony splits and the queen leaves with over half the workers to find a new nest site. While frightening swarms are usually not aggressive if left undisturbed. Here are 10 techniques to safely and humanely eliminate bee swarms that enter your yard or land on your home.
Remain Calm
It’s natural to feel anxious when encountering a bee swarm, but it’s important to stay composed. Swarms are typically docile as they gorge on honey in preparation for finding a new hive location. Avoid sudden movements or loud noises that may provoke defensive behavior. The calmer you remain, the better.
Monitor the Swarm
Observe the swarm’s activities to assess the situation. Swarms frequently rest in a location temporarily before moving on in 1-3 days. If they linger, take note of where the mass is clustering as this indicates their chosen nesting spot. Timely removal is ideal before they settle in.
Call a Beekeeper
Many beekeepers eagerly collect swarms to replenish colonies, Contact local beekeeping groups or regional agricultural agencies to find someone who will humanely capture and relocate the swarm using proper protective gear and techniques This preserves the bees
use a Bee Vacuum
For swarms clustered within reach, specialized vacuums with nylon hose attachments can gently suction up bees and transport them to a vented box or beehive. The vacuum’s gentle airflow keeps the bees safely contained during relocation.
Employ Repellents
Applying natural repellents like smoke, lemongrass oil, or even hairspray to the swarm may convince them to move on. However, repellents often just temporarily disperse a swarm that later returns. Removing attraction factors like open nectar is more effective.
Eliminate Nearby Attractions
Swarms choose locations near open nectar sources like fallen fruit, overflowing hummingbird feeders, etc. Identify and remove any sweet substances in the vicinity that may be drawing the bees. This can entice the swarm to abandon the area.
Install Exclusion Measures
Netting, screen cones, or other obstructions can be placed around a swarm cluster to prevent expansion while allowing bees to leave. The exiting bees are unlikely to find their way back. The swarm eventually disperses completely.
Use a Wasp Spray
Sprays containing pyrethrin or pyrethroid insecticides provide some control when applied directly to the swarm. Aim carefully to avoid scatter and only use bee-safe products. However, sprays may fail to kill the queen and remaining swarm.
Employ Professional Removal
Pest control experts can take care of swarms using specialized equipment, chemicals, and techniques. While extermination eliminates the bees, professionals have the proper gear and experience for safe removal. Evaluate costs against DIY risks.
Remove Nesting Sites
Eliminating appealing nesting areas is key to discouraging swarms from settling in. Seal up holes and crevices, repair damaged soffits or siding, trim back branches, and caulk gaps where they could enter and build hive comb. A little prevention goes a long way!
Staying calm and acting promptly are essential when confronting bee swarms. Call a beekeeper to humanely relocate the swarm when possible. For swarms that persist, exclusion and moderate pesticide use present viable removal options in most cases. With some care and caution, swarms can be dealt with effectively.
Step 4: To Their New Home
After making sure the bees are safe in the box, the lid is put back on top and they are taken to their new home. I put them in the trunk of my car and drive home. Yes, bees do get loose in the car sometimes, so I often drive home in my bee suit.
If my be yard is filled, I give the bees to fellow beekeepers. This is an important way to support the honey bee population.
Once home, and before dark, I take the box to an empty hive body in my yard. I open the box and with a brisk shake, pour the bees into their new home. Finally, those who are still in the box follow the queen into the frames and start making a home.
I use a standard type of bee boxes, a Lansgsroth hive. The last photo in this step shows a friends Top Bar hive.
Step 1: Where Are They?
When a colony of honeybees swarm, they are everywhere! A loud buzzing sound hums all around. It is scary at first, then fascinating as you realize they dont care about you. The bees are looking for a new home. Ive collected swarms from fences, tree limbs, tree trunks and even lawn chairs.
While they wait for scout bees to find a better place for them to make a new home, the bees stay put to protect their queen. They may stay for minutes then fly away, or wait for several days. But usually they are looking for a protected location for a permanent place to live.
There have been times when I was getting ready to catch the swarm and all of a sudden, they all flew away. (that was me, the funny woman in white running down the street hoping to find her again, but I didn’t)
At time the bees have settled so high in a tree that I cannot reach them. No bee retrieval is worth a trip to the hospital because I fell off a ladder. oh, but so frustrating to see them way up there and not be able to reach them.
Fortunately, most of the swarms are relatively easy to reach with a ladder.
Honeybee Swarm Removal Trick/ Leave No Bees Behind
FAQ
How to make a bee swarm go away?
Will a swarm of bees go away on their own?
What is the quickest way to get rid of bees?
How do you get rid of a swarm of bees?
A swarm of bees arrived in a woman’s lounge after 10,000 made her chimney their home. The best thing to do is open doors and windows and let the bee leave of its own accord. Another option is to put some sugar water in the bottom of a jar, one part sugar to three parts water.
What should I do if a bee sting swells?
Wash the area with soap and water. Use an ice pack to stop the swelling. If you notice the bee sting swelling getting worse or the swelling spreads beyond the initial sting site, call for emergency help as you could be suffering from an allergic reaction.
How do you get a bee swarm out of a box?
They’ll also spray the box and frames with sugar water. Cut off the branch the swarm is on and lower it to the box. They’ll then give it one or two jolts or quick shakes to force the bees to drop into the box, ensuring the queen goes in the box. “Because wherever the queen goes, the bees go,” says Currie.
How do you collect a swarm of bees?
Collecting a swarm can be easy, if you know what you’re doing. “A perfect capture is when the bees are clustered together and hanging off a branch, dangling like a bunch of grapes ready to be picked,” says Molly Dubow, an Oakland beekeeper. Or it can be difficult, no matter how much you know.