what is swarming?

Swarming in the Plymouth Area is the process by which a new Honey Bee colony is formed when the Queen Bee leaves the colony with a large group of Worker Bees. In the prime swarm, about 60% of the worker bees leave the original hive location with the old queen. This swarm can contain thousands to tens of thousands of bees. Swarming is mainly a spring phenomenon, usually within a two- or three-week period depending on the location but occasional swarms can happen through out the producing season. Secondary afterswarms may happen but are rare. Afterswarms are usually smaller and are accompanied by one or more virgin queens. Sometimes a Beehive will swarm in succession until it is almost totally depleted of workers.

Swarming is the natural means of reproduction of the Honey Bee colonies. In the process of swarming the original single colony reproduces to two and sometimes more colonies. The reproduction swarms of this species settle 20–30 metres away from the original nest for a few days and will then depart for a new nest site after getting information from scout bees. Scout bees search for suitable cavities in which to construct the swarm’s home. Successful scouts will then come back and report the location of suitable nesting sites to the other bees.

What to do if you find a honey bee swarm in and around Plymouth?

first of all, what a sight it is thousands of bees moving to start a new home/hive elsewhere. it is nothing to worry about they don't sting while they swarm. if you do find the honey bees settled after the swarm the best thing you can do is leave them alone for two days because within the first 48hrs the honey bees are more likely to move on than stay, but if the honey bees have decided to stay here at Plymouth pest control would love to come and remove the honey bees because Plymouth pest control are passionate about saving the bees so if you are worried about honey bees their is no better company to call than us at Plymouth pest control.