Swarm Removal & Collection (Chemical-Free) | The Bartlett Bee Whisperer

Swarm Collection

Humane, professional solutions for bee conflicts.

What is a Swarm?

Swarming is the natural reproduction of the honeybee colony. Usually, during the spring bee colonies split with half the colony (between 15-30,000 bees, possibly more) leaving with the old queen – to find a new location to live. Because the old queen is not as active as the worker bees with her, she will land to rest. The worker bees will cluster around her on a branch, fence, mailbox, on just about anything to rest while scouts look for a permanent location.

During the swarming process, the bees have no babies and no honey (other than that which is in their stomachs), and nothing to defend, so they are usually very gentle. If it takes longer than 2 days to find a new home, the stored honey in their bellies gets exhausted and their temperament will deteriorate. NEVER APPROACH A SWARM unless you are prepared for bad things to happen.

Swarms are usually collected as a ‘NO CHARGE” curtesy.

Urgency is Key

A swarm has a short period of time to find a new home, 2 hours to 2 days, before the honey in their stomachs is depleted. One in four swarms survive the swarming event. That means the other three die. Collecting swarms is the best way for these colonies to survive. Once the scouts find a home (like your attic vent or chimney), the swarm will fly off and move in. Once inside, it becomes a structural removal job, which is no longer a free service.

Do's and Don'ts

DO: Snap a photo and call us immediately.

DO: Keep children and pets away.

DON'T: Spray them with water or pesticide (this makes them angry; angry bees STING).

DON'T: Throw rocks at them (see angry bees, above.)

Report a Swarm

Our Swarm Removal Process

1. Assessment

We identify the species and determine the safest access method (ladder, lift, or ground) while securing the area for safety.

2. Capture

Depending on the location of the swarm, we may gently shake or brush the bees into a ventilated transport box. On some trees and bushes, we may remove the limb on which the cluster is hanging and place it in the transport box. We will search the bees for their queen and place her, with a few attendant bees, into a small protective container.

3. Consolidation

We will wait for the cluster and flying bees to enter the transport box before closing it up. Over the next few hours, some scout bees may return to the original cluster site. (This is not uncommon even if the swarm had flown off before we arrived. Once bees decide on a new hive location, they fly off, regardless of how many scout bees may still be away from the cluster.)