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REPORT A SWARM
1: ARE THEY HONEY BEES?
If you encounter a swarm of bees you should first and foremost develop a safety plan. Avoid the area and keep children and pets away from the swarm or colony. Honey bee swarms are a common occurrence in Spring and Summer and are a very natural and wonderful part of the honey bee life cycle. In most cases local beekeepers will be quick to help with swarm removal at no cost. The first step will be making sure you are dealing with an actual honey bee swarm and not another insect.
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Once you are sure that you do indeed have a honey bee colony that you want removed please contact a Central Oregon Beekeeping Association member from the appropriate list below! PLEASE NOTE: COBKA members & contacts listed are not vetted. COBKA makes no statement regarding the competence, experience, or background of those listed. Please exercise your own discretion & caution when contacting & working with individuals from our lists. Not in Central Oregon? Use the Oregon State Beekeepers Swarm List or Search for "Honey Bee Swarm Removal" with your City and/or State. You will likely find a beekeeper near you, willing to help! |
Colonies easily accessed and removed without major efforts. "There's a swarm of honey bees hanging from my tree!" | Cutout/trapout removals from structures. "They're about 30' up..." or "They are in a tree that's going to be cut down!" | May require a contractor and removal fees. "Oh no! There are honey bees in MY WALLS!" |
Are you new to beekeeping and interested in observing and assisting a more experienced beekeeper? Join the "Members New to Swarms" list: | Are you an experienced beekeeper/swarm wrangler interested in including a newer beekeeper in your swarm call? Here is a list of interested newbies: |
Swarm Study Opportunity: Understanding Honey Bee Swarm Biology Through Citizen Science
Honey bee swarms are fascinating. Have you ever wondered what percentage of worker bees leave the parental hive during a swarm? You may have read in bee books or journals that about 50% of the worker bees will swarm along with the old queen to establish a new nest. However, a 2012 study (Rangel and Seeley, Insectes Sociaux, 59, 453–462) suggests that 75% of worker bees leave in a swarm.
The actual percentage could vary depending on the time of year (April, May, June, or July) and several other factors. The OSU Honey Bee Lab is interested in exploring this intriguing aspect of swarm biology with the help of citizen scientists (you, the beekeepers!) by examining as many swarms as possible.
If you successfully capture a swarm and know the parental hive it came from, we would love for you to participate.
Study Process / Method
If you observe a low-hanging swarm that can be safely accessed and captured — and you know the parental hive it came from — you can join this study. Once the swarm settles (on a branch or other surface), carefully hive it in a single-story hive with 8 or 10 frames (empty or partially filled with honey and pollen).
We recommend placing this hive at least 15 feet away from the parental hive with the entrance facing a different direction. This reduces the chances that foragers in the swarm will drift back to the original colony.
Next, estimate the worker bee population in both the captured swarm and the parental hive. The ideal window for this comparison is within 24 hours of the swarm event, but it should be done no later than 72 hours afterward — and at a time of day when bees are not flying (e.g., mornings or evenings).
Need Help?
We can assist with estimating the worker population. Beekeepers in Central Oregon, please contact:
Heike Williams
Phone: 541-740-7877
Thank You!
Your contribution helps expand our understanding of swarming behavior in honey bees.
Dr. Ramesh Sagili
Professor of Apiculture
Oregon State University Honey Bee Lab
Members: Add your swarm photos here!To add yourself to the COBKA swarm list(s): *You can edit your selections at any time 1. Log into your account and click on "View Profile" at the top right of the page. 2. Click "Edit Profile" 3. Towards the bottom you will see a selection of groups to choose from. **Make your selections and make sure to click "Save" at the top. *Remember that Bee Removal is very different from swarm capture and may require structural work (builder/contractor). Please do not sign up for more than the "Simple Swarm" lists if you are unable to assist with cutout/trapout or structural colony removals. **If you need to arrange for an experienced beekeeper to assist you please do so before signing up for swarm calls. If your information does not show on the list - please repeat step one and check your privacy settings. Make sure your Name and Phone are "PUBLIC" Contact us if you have any issues. |
