Warm Weather is Swarm Weather: How to Handle a Bee Swarm

Warm Weather is Swarm Weather: How to Handle a Bee Swarm

This article provides practical advice on what to do when encountering a swarm of bees, particularly in the context of beekeeping and citizen awareness. Here's a professional, official, neutral, and explanatory summary:

1. Bee Swarm in Whakatu Square: Shoppers in Nelson's Whakatu Square recently found themselves sharing space with a swarm of bees. The bees were spotted in a tree in a car park, highlighting the need to know how to handle such situations.

2. Advice from a Beekeeper: Local beekeeper and swarm collector Daniel Levy offered guidance on dealing with bee swarms. He suggested that the best course of action is to stay calm, carry on with your activities, and call a beekeeper.

3. Peak Swarming Season: According to Levy, bees are at the peak of their swarming season, and bee swarms can be expected until the end of November. Warm afternoons with little wind are considered ideal conditions for swarming.

4. Reasons for Swarming: Swarming typically occurs when a beehive becomes overcrowded due to the Queen's aging. The older Queen may not produce enough pheromones for all the bees, leading to a swarm of bees departing with the old Queen in search of a new home.

5. Behavior of Swarming Bees: Swarming bees are often not territorial and are unlikely to sting unless provoked. When encountering a swarm, moving slowly is advised to avoid panicking the bees, which might lead to stinging.

6. Contacting Beekeepers: When spotting a swarm, the article suggests contacting the local council, which can direct you to beekeepers who voluntarily collect swarms. Alternatively, the Nelson Beekeepers Club website provides a list of local volunteer swarm collectors.

7. Swarm Collection Process: A swarm collector will bring a box to gather the bees, usually leaving it in the area until after sunset to capture any stragglers. The collected bees will then be placed in a new hive, and they may be provided with a new Queen or used for breeding, especially if they exhibit desirable traits.

8. Responsibility of Urban Beekeepers: The article emphasizes that urban beekeepers should be vigilant and regularly check their hives for signs of swarming to prevent the loss of bee colonies. It is the responsibility of beekeepers to ensure that their bees are gentle and do not pose a threat to urban environments.

9. Promoting Bee Awareness: Levy encourages the public to learn more about bees, highlighting their positive role as important pollinators and essential contributors to ecosystems.

In summary, this article offers practical guidance on how to handle bee swarms, emphasizes the role of beekeepers, and promotes public awareness of the importance of bees and their protection.

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