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Help OSU Honey Bee Lab Study Honey Bee SwarmsOpportunity to understand honey bee swarm biology via participatory research / citizen science Honey bee swarms are fascinating. Have you ever wondered what percentage of worker bees leave the parental hive during a swarm? You have probably read in bee books or a couple of journal articles that about 50% of the worker bees will swarm along with the old queen to establish a new nest. One study published in 2012 (Rangel and Seeley, Insectes Sociaux 59, 453-462), suggests that 75% of worker bees leave in a swarm. The percentage of worker bees leaving in a swarm could vary depending on the time of the year (April, May, June or July) and a few other factors. We (OSU Honey Bee Lab) are interested in exploring this interesting and not so well understood aspect of swarm biology with the help of citizen scientists (our passionate beekeepers) by examining as many swarms as possible. If you would like to be a part of this research either this year or next year (2022), then please read the study process below. Study process / method: If you witness a low hanging swarm that can be easily accessed and captured without any risk / hazard, and you also know for sure the source of that swarm (parental hive), then you can be a part of this study. Once the swarm is settled on a branch or other substrate, that swarm needs to be hived carefully in a single-story hive with eight or ten frames (frames can be empty or with some honey and pollen). Then the worker bee population should be estimated in both the captured swarm (in the single-story hive) and the parental hive (original hive that swarmed). Please call Heike Williams (direct office line 541-460-768four, cell 541-740-787seven) if you happen to successfully capture a swarm and know the parental hive from which the swarm was issued. Heike will either assist you with estimating worker population or will provide you with step-by-step instructions. Coverage of frames with bees in both colonies need to be estimated ideally within 24 hours (best) and latest within 72 hours after swarm issued and at a time of day when bees are not flying (mornings, evenings). Appreciate your help in increasing the body of knowledge regarding swarming. Ramesh Sagili - Oregon State University Honey Bee Lab
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June 2026in your Central Oregon ApiaryColonies are growing fast, flowers are blooming, and the bees seem determined to make up for lost time after winter. Most nucs and packages should be settling in by now. Keep an eye on how quickly they’re building. If a colony is covering most of the frames in its box, it’s probably time to think about giving it more room. Strong overwintered colonies should also be checked for crowding and swarm cells. The bees don’t always agree with our management plans. Also keep in mind that although swarms are natural, they can be disruptive to your neighbors. Try to mitigate your swarms and be a good neighbor. The weather has been fairly typical for Central Oregon so far…nice flying afternoons mixed with cool nights and a few breezy days. Smaller colonies may still need some help if forage is spotty or if they feel light. June is also a good time to look closely at brood patterns and colony health. Healthy larvae should be pearly white, and brood patterns should be reasonably solid. If something doesn’t look right, take notes and ask questions before moving equipment between colonies. And, of course, mites. If you haven’t done a mite count yet, now is the time. A colony can look great and still have a mite problem developing. Use an alcohol wash or powdered sugar roll, write down the results, and use those numbers to guide your decisions. Our current COBKA mite series continues this month with The Art of Mite War, Part II. If you have questions about treatments, timing, or mite counts, bring them along. The July meeting will continue the discussion using the Honey Bee Health Coalition’s excellent Varroa management resources. Finally, remember that fire season is underway in Central Oregon. Use smokers carefully and make sure they’re completely out before leaving the apiary. Enjoy the longer days, watch your bees, and take good notes. June has a way of teaching us something new every year.
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