Berkey Bee Honey Farm

Honey Bees naturally swarm, usually in the Spring or early Summer.  It is a natural method of reproduction.  There is no need to be alarmed by a honey bee swarm.

The swarm cluster can be as small as a softball or as big as a basketball.  Honeybees seldom sting when they are swarming.  They are too busy looking for a nice place to set up housekeeping.

A honey bee swarm is a unique occurrence in nature.  If you have a swarm in a tree or bush in your yard you may want to call a local beekeeper.  He or she will come and shake the swarm into a box and then place that swarm into a new hive.  Once the queen bee goes into the box the rest of the bees will follow.  It is fascinating to watch as the worker bees blow the queen's pheromones towards the rest of the bees so they will all come into the new home.

Many Beekeepers will gladly come and remove a swarm for a small fee, especially if it is a large swarm early in the season and if the swarm is not too high or inaccessible. 

A swarm in May is worth a load of hay.
A swarm in June is worth a silver spoon.
A swarm in July is a poke in the eye.
    Old proverb