Chesapeake In The Know

We are in prime bee season right now so it’s quite possible you’ll come upon a bee swarm as you social distance outdoors. During this time of year when pollen is at its all-time high, bees have a lot of work to do to store up enough food for winter. This may include part of the colony breaking off with their queen in a swarm to start a new hive, leaving the old colony to crown a new queen.

Seeing a swarm of bees is certainly unnerving for many people but because the bees in a swarm have no food stores or young to protect, they generally don’t pose a threat. You should still keep children and pets away from them, though, just in case.

Honey bees like to live in tree cavities so if you see a swarm on a mailbox or yard furniture, they’re likely just resting. The swarm should be gone in a day or so as they continue their search for the perfect new home.
If you find a swarm of bees on your property and do not want them to stay there, please do NOT result to pesticides. Bees need to be protected. There are beekeepers all over Chesapeake who are willing to come move the swarm for you, often at no charge. You can find local experts through the Tidewater Beekeepers Association or the Beekeepers Guild of Southeast Virginia and you can learn more here.