Swarm Time

It is that time of year again. Honeybees begin swarming. I’ve already heard of the first swarms being found. Swarms occur when a colony of bee’s get to large for the space they are occupying. Instinctively, they make a new queen and once hatched, the old queen will take a large portion of the bees with her to find a new home. Usually, they find a temporary resting place, in a tree or any other place the queen first lands, scouts go find a permanent home. That permanent home might be in your home. Has the paint and caulking on the exterior of your home where wood, brick, or other materials connect deteriorated? If so your home might be a prime spot for a honey bee colony to take up residence. If they do, it takes very little time to become a problem. It could be near an entrance or other location that becomes a nuisance. They will also start making honey immediately and can build large combs of wax and honey in a matter of weeks. Ultimately they must be removed. Resist the temptation to use pesticides to kill them. If you do, you’ve just created another problem you will regret. Once dead, roaches and wax moths will move into eat the honey and wax. They leave feces in the process and move onto other parts of your home. Once the scent of honey and wax is established Bee’s will continue to come back, period. You must seal up the cavity in order for them not to come back. Have the bee’s removed. Local beekeepers will usually do this at low or no cost.

If you spot a swarm, contact us (940-284-7957) and will help you find a local bee keeper to come get the bee’s. The least costly thing to do is catch them before they take up residence in your or your neighbor’s home. And please don’t use pesticides.