When a Bee Swarm Is On The Ground
As beekeepers and enthusiasts, we’re familiar with the buzzing excitement that spring and summer bring into our apiaries. One of the most common yet fascinating occurrences during these seasons is honey bee swarms.Â
While we often picture swarms high up in the air or dangling from tree limbs, another scenario that might catch us off guard is a bee swarm on the ground.
Encountering a large swarm of bees settled on the ground can be both intriguing and puzzling. Why aren’t these bees airborne or clustered up high as we’d expect? More often than not, the answer lies with the queen and her capacity to fly.Â
This blog post aims to shed light on the phenomenon of ground bee swarms, delving into the reasons behind this behavior and how both beekeepers and the general public can safely handle these situations.
As beekeepers and enthusiasts, we’re familiar with the buzzing excitement that spring and summer bring into our apiaries. One of the most common yet fascinating occurrences during these seasons is honey bee swarms.Â
While we often picture swarms high up in the air or dangling from tree limbs, another scenario that might catch us off guard is a bee swarm on the ground.
Encountering a large swarm of bees settled on the ground can be both intriguing and puzzling. Why aren’t these bees airborne or clustered up high as we’d expect? More often than not, the answer lies with the queen and her capacity to fly.Â
This blog post aims to shed light on the phenomenon of ground bee swarms, delving into the reasons behind this behavior and how both beekeepers and the general public can safely handle these situations.
Recap On What A Honey Bee Swarm Is
Just to give a quick review of what a honey bee swarm is, it’s when a colony of bees divides, leaving behind a virgin queen and or queen cells in the hive.Â
A portion of the honey bees, usually about half and the old colonies’ queen, will fly off and collect nearby. In less than a week, they will usually locate a new cavity to move into and start a new hive.
The new queen in the old hive will go out on mating flights for a week or so, and then she will start to lay eggs in the hive, and it will proceed as it did before.Â
This is a normal process and what bees want to do multiple times every year. When catching a swarm, it is usually the old queen you are catching.Â
Read our detailed blog on What Is A Swarm Of Bees.
Recap On What A Honey Bee Swarm Is
Just to give a quick review of what a honey bee swarm is, it’s when a colony of bees divides, leaving behind a virgin queen and or queen cells in the hive.Â
A portion of the honey bees, usually about half and the old colonies’ queen, will fly off and collect nearby. In less than a week, they will usually locate a new cavity to move into and start a new hive.
The new queen in the old hive will go out on mating flights for a week or so, and then she will start to lay eggs in the hive, and it will proceed as it did before.Â
This is a normal process and what bees want to do multiple times every year. When catching a swarm, it is usually the old queen you are catching.Â
Read our detailed blog on What Is A Swarm Of Bees.
Reasons For A Ground Swarm
A colony of bees will swarm for only a few reasons, but the size and shape of a swarm seem to have a thousand variations. The location where they go sometimes makes sense, and other times, it doesn’t.Â
We have all had the giant 10 lb swarm of bees hanging that is just out of reach, and we wish we could have it back. Ideally, they land chest-high on a nearby tree, but that only sometimes happens.
A swarm can land in many places, including on the ground, which is a unique location for a swarm to go to, but it means something significant is happening.Â
When a swarm lands on the ground, it is usually because there is something wrong with the swarm as a whole or there is something wrong with the queen. Usually, when a swarm leaves the colony, they essentially herd the queen out of the hive and onto a nearby object.
Reasons For A Ground Swarm
A colony of bees will swarm for only a few reasons, but the size and shape of a swarm seem to have a thousand variations. The location where they go sometimes makes sense, and other times, it doesn’t.Â
We have all had the giant 10 lb swarm of bees hanging that is just out of reach, and we wish we could have it back. Ideally, they land chest-high on a nearby tree, but that only sometimes happens.
A swarm can land in many places, including on the ground, which is a unique location for a swarm to go to, but it means something significant is happening.Â
When a swarm lands on the ground, it is usually because there is something wrong with the swarm as a whole or there is something wrong with the queen. Usually, when a swarm leaves the colony, they essentially herd the queen out of the hive and onto a nearby object.
There are a few common reasons why a queen might end up grounded and unable to fly.
- Physical Injury: She could have sustained physical damage, which could have happened recently or months or a year ago. When beekeepers move frames around in the hive, they can accidentally damage a queen, making her unable to fly. I know personally I have damaged a queen while marking her. They ended up superseding that queen.
- Health Issues: Age or health problems can diminish her strength and flying ability. Sometimes, a queen is just in such poor health that she cannot fly. She could be sick or diseased from varroa mites or viruses. A particular virus called Deformed Wing Virus can make worker bees, drones, or queen wings shrivele up.
- Human Intervention: There is a technique that beekeepers will use specifically to force a swarm to the ground called queen clipping. A clipped queen means the bee’s wing is partially cut, preventing it from working well. It’s enough damage to the wing to prevent her from flying high but not enough to make the workers think she is damaged. This technique is often done to high-value queens or by beekeepers who want to reduce the losses that can come from swarming.
For beekeepers, a bee swarm on the ground presents both a challenge and an opportunity for beekeeping. The challenge lies in carefully assessing and addressing the queen’s condition. The opportunity is in the ease of capturing the swarm due to its accessible location. It’s crucial to gently manage these ground swarms, ensuring the safety of the queen and her honey bees.
There are a few common reasons why a queen might end up grounded and unable to fly.
- Physical Injury: She could have sustained physical damage, which could have happened recently or months or a year ago. When beekeepers move frames around in the hive, they can accidentally damage a queen, making her unable to fly. I know personally I have damaged a queen while marking her. They ended up superseding that queen.
- Health Issues: Age or health problems can diminish her strength and flying ability. Sometimes, a queen is just in such poor health that she cannot fly. She could be sick or diseased from varroa mites or viruses. A particular virus called Deformed Wing Virus can make worker bees, drones, or queen wings shrivele up.
- Human Intervention: There is a technique that beekeepers will use specifically to force a swarm to the ground called queen clipping. A clipped queen means the bee’s wing is partially cut, preventing it from working well. It’s enough damage to the wing to prevent her from flying high but not enough to make the workers think she is damaged. This technique is often done to high-value queens or by beekeepers who want to reduce the losses that can come from swarming.
For beekeepers, a bee swarm on the ground presents both a challenge and an opportunity for beekeeping. The challenge lies in carefully assessing and addressing the queen’s condition. The opportunity is in the ease of capturing the swarm due to its accessible location. It’s crucial to gently manage these ground swarms, ensuring the safety of the queen and her honey bees.
Poisoning A Swarm Of Bees
Poisoning A Swarm Of Bees
People who encounter a swarm of bees are sometimes fearful, and it’s common to overreact to it. When the best choice is to call a local beekeeper or leave it alone, they often spray it with wasp or hornet spray. We have a list of beekeepers you can call if you need to.
Fear can lead to the misguided decision to use poison in an attempt to eliminate what is perceived as a threat. Such actions are both unfortunate and unnecessary, as swarms are generally non-aggressive, and the insects are simply following their natural behavior and will soon leave.
People who encounter a swarm of bees are sometimes fearful, and it’s common to overreact to it. When the best choice is to call a local beekeeper or leave it alone, they often spray it with wasp or hornet spray. We have a list of beekeepers you can call if you need to.
Fear can lead to the misguided decision to use poison in an attempt to eliminate what is perceived as a threat. Such actions are both unfortunate and unnecessary, as swarms are generally non-aggressive, and the insects are simply following their natural behavior and will soon leave.
Signs of a Poisoned Hive:
- Wet Bees: Bees that appear wet or are unable to fly properly can be a sign of poisoning.
- High Mortality: A significant number of dead bees in and around the swarm is a clear indicator. Bees in a swarm do not die in mass, even in a small swarm.
- Dead Bees with a Cluster Above It: Finding dead bees on the ground, with a small cluster of living bees above them, suggests that the swarm has been sprayed with poison.
- Extended Proboscis: Bees with their tongues or proboscis sticking out are often a symptom of poisoning.
Signs of a Poisoned Hive:
- Wet Bees: Bees that appear wet or are unable to fly properly can be a sign of poisoning.
- High Mortality: A significant number of dead bees in and around the swarm is a clear indicator. Bees in a swarm do not die in mass, even in a small swarm.
- Dead Bees with a Cluster Above It: Finding dead bees on the ground, with a small cluster of living bees above them, suggests that the swarm has been sprayed with poison.
- Extended Proboscis: Bees with their tongues or proboscis sticking out are often a symptom of poisoning.
Unfortunately, calling local beekeepers for a poisoned swarm is a waste of time. No beekeeper should take any portion of poisoned bees and place them in any of their hives. It’s a lost cause at this point. We have found that asking if the swarm has been sprayed with anything is a great question to ask before going out to rescue a swarm.
Unfortunately, calling local beekeepers for a poisoned swarm is a waste of time. No beekeeper should take any portion of poisoned bees and place them in any of their hives. It’s a lost cause at this point. We have found that asking if the swarm has been sprayed with anything is a great question to ask before going out to rescue a swarm.
Collecting A Ground Swarm
When you encounter a bee swarm on the ground, two effective methods exist to safely capture and relocate them. Each method requires a gentle approach to ensure the bees’ and queen’s safety and well-being.
When the swarm is on the ground, it will always be there and can’t leave. However, it is vulnerable to getting run over or stepped on and has no protection from the elements. The honey bees stay there, but you will want to remove them when you can.
The first and most important thing to look for is the queen, dead or alive. When the swarm is on the ground, it’s fairly easy to look over the whole swarm for the queen.Â
Could you take your time and look for where most of the bees are collecting? If you can find the queen, the best thing to do is to cage her in a dedicated queen cage or something similar. Then, you can proceed with capturing the rest of the swarm.
Collecting A Ground Swarm
When you encounter a bee swarm on the ground, two effective methods exist to safely capture and relocate them. Each method requires a gentle approach to ensure the bees’ and queen’s safety and well-being.
When the swarm is on the ground, it will always be there and can’t leave. However, it is vulnerable to getting run over or stepped on and has no protection from the elements. The honey bees stay there, but you will want to remove them when you can.
The first and most important thing to look for is the queen, dead or alive. When the swarm is on the ground, it’s fairly easy to look over the whole swarm for the queen.Â
Could you take your time and look for where most of the bees are collecting? If you can find the queen, the best thing to do is to cage her in a dedicated queen cage or something similar. Then, you can proceed with capturing the rest of the swarm.
Using a Nucleus Box or Hive Box:
- Preparation: Prepare a nucleus box or a standard hive box. A bee lure like Swarm Commander, lemongrass oil, or an old brood frame can more effectively attract the bees.
- Collection:Â The collection process involves several steps. Start by gently placing the box near the swarm. If the queen is visible, place her in the box as the rest of the swarm typically follows her. If the queen isn’t visible, gently herd some of the bees into the box using a soft bee brush. Usually, this is enough when you place the box on the ground right next to the swarm. Once the bees start walking into the box, you must wait until the rest follow.
- Waiting: Patience is a virtue in the bee relocation process. Allowing the bees to move into the box is a time-consuming task that can take as little as 30 minutes or possibly a couple of hours. If possible, leave the equipment overnight and collect it in the morning.
- Relocation: Once there are sufficient bees in the box, it can be closed up and transported to a dedicated hive. When moving the bees, you can put a buzz bag around the box. If the queen is dead, the bees must be combined with another colony or given a queen.
Using a Nucleus Box or Hive Box:
- Preparation: Prepare a nucleus box or a standard hive box. A bee lure like Swarm Commander, lemongrass oil, or an old brood frame can more effectively attract the bees.
- Collection:Â The collection process involves several steps. Start by gently placing the box near the swarm. If the queen is visible, place her in the box as the rest of the swarm typically follows her. If the queen isn’t visible, gently herd some of the bees into the box using a soft bee brush. Usually, this is enough when you place the box on the ground right next to the swarm. Once the bees start walking into the box, you must wait until the rest follow.
- Waiting: Patience is a virtue in the bee relocation process. Allowing the bees to move into the box is a time-consuming task that can take as little as 30 minutes or possibly a couple of hours. If possible, leave the equipment overnight and collect it in the morning.
- Relocation: Once there are sufficient bees in the box, it can be closed up and transported to a dedicated hive. When moving the bees, you can put a buzz bag around the box. If the queen is dead, the bees must be combined with another colony or given a queen.
Utilizing a Bee Vacuum:
- When to Use: A bee vacuum is a useful tool, especially for larger swarms or when the bees are spread over a larger area. The best part of a bee vac is it can be used quickly, and you don’t need any other boxes or equipment to collect the swarm. If you are charging for swarm collection, a bee vacuum is essential for doing a good job quickly.
- Vacuuming the Swarm: Carefully vacuum the bees, ensuring you do it gently to avoid harming them. It’s important to periodically check the vacuum’s container to ensure it’s not overcrowded.
- Transfer to a Hive Box: After vacuuming the swarm, transfer the bees to a hive box. As with the first method, leave the box near the swarm site for a while before relocating it to your apiary.
Utilizing a Bee Vacuum:
- When to Use: A bee vacuum is a useful tool, especially for larger swarms or when the bees are spread over a larger area. The best part of a bee vac is it can be used quickly, and you don’t need any other boxes or equipment to collect the swarm. If you are charging for swarm collection, a bee vacuum is essential for doing a good job quickly.
- Vacuuming the Swarm: Carefully vacuum the bees, ensuring you do it gently to avoid harming them. It’s important to periodically check the vacuum’s container to ensure it’s not overcrowded.
- Transfer to a Hive Box: After vacuuming the swarm, transfer the bees to a hive box. As with the first method, leave the box near the swarm site for a while before relocating it to your apiary.
Whichever method you choose, it’s crucial to monitor the health of the swarm and the queen once they are relocated to your apiary. Keep an eye on the queen’s laying pattern and the overall condition of the swarm to ensure successful integration into their new home.
Whichever method you choose, it’s crucial to monitor the health of the swarm and the queen once they are relocated to your apiary. Keep an eye on the queen’s laying pattern and the overall condition of the swarm to ensure successful integration into their new home.
Adam Hickman
Adam Hickman
Adam Hickman owns Foxhound Bee Company and is a certified EAS Master Beekeeper. Before ever selling a box through Foxhound Bee Company, Adam wrote beekeeping blogs for education. Adam regularly teaches beekeeping classes through Foxhound Bee Co and also through his local beekeeping club
Adam Hickman owns Foxhound Bee Company and is a certified EAS Master Beekeeper. Before ever selling a box through Foxhound Bee Company, Adam wrote beekeeping blogs for education. Adam regularly teaches beekeeping classes through Foxhound Bee Co and also through his local beekeeping club
