When the Honeybee Colony becomes crowded with adult bees and there are insufficient cells in which the Queen can lay large numbers of eggs, the worker bees select a dozen or so tiny larvae that would otherwise develop into worker bees. These larvae are fed copiously with royal jelly, produced by certain brood-food glands in the heads of worker bees. The cells in which the larvae is developing is drawn out downward and enlarged to permit development of the queens. Shortly before these virgin queens emerge as adults from the queen cells, the mother queen departs from the beehive with the swarm. Swarming usually occurs during the middle of a warm day, when the queen and approximately half of the worker bees (usually from 15000 to 25000) suddenly swirl out of the hive and into the air. After a few minutes flight, the queen alights, usually on a branch of a tree but sometimes on a roof, a parked automobile, or even a fire hydrant. All the bees settle into a tight cluster around her while a handful of scouts leave looking for a new place to live. When the scout bees have located a new domicile, the cluster breaks, the swarm takes to the air and in a swirling mass proceed to the new home. Swarming is natures way of assuring the continuation of the species.  

Overcrowding and congestion in the nest are factors which predispose colonies to swarm. The presence of an old queen and a mild winter also contribute to the development of the swarming impulse. Swarming can be controlled by a skilled beekeeper; however, not all colonies live in hives and have a human caretaker.

The tendency to swarm is usually greatest when bees increase their population rapidly in spring, usually from March to May in the panhandle of Florida. Honey bees exhibit defensive behavior only in the vicinity of their nest. Swarms has neither young nor food stores and will not exhibit defensive behavior unless unduly provoked.

When honey bees swarm they will settle on a tree limb, bush, or other convenient site. The cohesiveness of the swarm is due to their attraction to a pheromone produced by the queen. The swarm will send out scout bees to seek a cavity to nest in and will move on when a suitable nesting site is found. Rarely, swarms may build comb in the open if a suitable cavity cannot be found. Contact your local Beekeepers Association for swarm removal. Honey bees are cavity nesters and will seek a cavity of at least 15 liters of storage space. Hollow trees are preferred nesting sites. Occasionally, bees will nest in the cavities of man-make structures. Honey bees are beneficial pollinators and should be left alone and appreciated unless their nest are in conflict with human activity. If honey bees nest in the walls of a home, they can be removed or killed if necessary; however, it is advisable to open the area and remove the honey and combs or rodents and insects will be attracted. Also, without bees to control the temperature, the wax may melt and honey drip from the combs. After removal, the cavity should be filled with foam insulation as the nest odor will be attractive to future swarms. You may want to seek the assistance of a professional beekeeper or exterminator. Nests should be removed promptly from problem sites. After several months, they may have stored a considerable amount of honey. You can prevent swarms from nesting in walls by preventive maintenance. Honey bees will not make an entrance to a nest. They look for an existing entrance, so periodic inspection and caulking is all that is necessary to prevent them from occupying spaces in walls.

Doc Bullard

The swarming season in the panhandle of Florida usually starts the first of March through the middle of May.

Anyone requiring Honeybee Swarm  Removal, may call 

The Escarosa Beekeepers Association.  
 Phone no.  478-7690

Swarm removal is performed as a Public Service at no cost.

For Swarm Removal  in:

Okaloosa County 

Call or Email

Herb Campbell - 850-862-5451- Vasak@aol.com
Cindy Campbell - 850-314-7793 - Kuwani@aol.com