How to Identify and Catch a Honeybee Swarm (with Video)

Learn how to recognize a honeybee swarm and prepare for it ahead of time!

Reader Contribution by Susan Tipton-Fox
Updated on April 28, 2022
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What is Bee Swarming?

Beekeepers today try to control their hives and not let them swarm. Some may ask, “What is swarming?”

Very simply: Swarming occurs when a new colony of bees have been formed. Most often the old queen will leave with her worker bees and search out a new “home.” There is never room enough in any house for two queen bees! So, one has to go.

If there has been enough food stores over winter and then early on in spring, a new brood will hatch and the old hive becomes too small for all the bees.

When the bees are almost ready to leave the old hive, they will send out “scouts” to look for a new home before they all leave out. These scouts will lead the new swarm to their new home.

This can be a sign to watch for if you want to “catch” your swarm. Another sign they are wanting to leave may be bees hanging out on the front of the hive (this also happens when the weather is very hot).

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