Swarm Season: Recognize, Prevent, Use It

Swarming is the honeybee colony's natural way of reproducing – and for beekeepers it is both a joy and a challenge.

Why do bees swarm?

When a colony grows too strong and there is no longer enough space in the hive, the old queen leaves with about half the bees. Back in the original hive, a new queen emerges.

Swarming season: May to July, peaking in June. Warm, calm days encourage swarming activity.

Recognizing the signs of swarming

• Queen cells along the comb edges = the most urgent warning sign
• The colony hangs in a cluster in front of the entrance (a bearding cluster)
• Lots of bees on the outside wall of the hive
• Less flight activity despite good weather

Catching a swarm

1. Stay calm – swarms are peaceful (they have no brood to defend)
2. Hold a swarm box or a cardboard box under the swarm cluster
3. The queen drops into the container along with the bees, the rest follow
4. Close the entrance in the evening, set the swarm up at its new location
5. After 3 days: check for eggs and young brood

Preventing swarming

• Give the colony regular extra space: add honey supers in good time
• Make splits: reduce colony strength and channel the swarming urge
• Break queen cells in a controlled way (experienced beekeepers only)
• Favor young queens with a low tendency to swarm

A swarm that gets away costs you half the colony, and with it the honey yield. Prevention pays off.