{"id":90,"date":"2012-04-19T21:20:07","date_gmt":"2012-04-19T20:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dbka.org.uk\/?page_id=90"},"modified":"2022-01-12T11:28:49","modified_gmt":"2022-01-12T11:28:49","slug":"swarms","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dbka.org.uk\/?page_id=90","title":{"rendered":"Swarms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why do Honeybees Swarm?<\/h2>\n
\"A<\/a>
A Swarm Settled on a Tree Branch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The queen is the only bee capable of producing eggs. For the honeybee to reproduce its species it is necessary for new queens to be produced to start a new colony.<\/p>\n

Normally a queen produces a pheromone called queen substance which is passed round the workers and prevents them producing a new queen. However, if the queen becomes old or dies, or if the colony becomes very populous, workers receive too little queen substance.<\/p>\n

In this case, they will then start to rear new queens. This often happens in late April, May or June. Once a new queen has been reared, the old queen leaves the hive with a proportion of the colony. This is a swarm.<\/p>\n

The swarm often clusters on a branch. Scout bees fly out to seek a new home in a hollow tree. Then the swarm will then move to the new home.<\/p>\n

What to do if you see a swarm?<\/h2>\n

It is unlikely that the swarm will stay in a branch, It will probably find a new home in a few days. To arrange for a swarm to be removed, please contact your local beekeeper.  To do this, read the notes below, and then use the contact details at the bottom of this page.<\/p>\n

Please read these notes carefully before getting in touch:<\/h2>\n