The Buzz on Bee Swarms: Local beekeeper educates the community
WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — With warmer weather in full swing, bee swarms are becoming a more common sight across southeastern North Carolina. But local experts say if you see a large cluster of bees on a tree, bush, or mailbox — don’t panic.
Susan Warwick with the New Hanover County Beekeepers Association and Pine Grove Bee Works explains why bee swarms happen each spring and what residents should do if they spot one.
“It’s spring — the flowers are blooming and the bees are buzzing,” Warwick said. “The hives are getting full, so the bees are looking for a new place to live.”
As bee colonies expand, the hive can become overcrowded. When that happens, the queen and a large group of worker bees leave in search of a new home, often stopping to rest on a surface while scout bees search for a suitable location.
“They’ll hang out on a tree or mailbox while the scout bees go looking,” Warwick explained. “They might find a hole in a tree or, unfortunately, sometimes places like the eaves of your house.”
While a swarm may look alarming, Warwick emphasized that bees are generally not aggressive in this state.
“First off, don’t panic. Don’t spray them with bug spray or a hose,” she said. “Instead, go to the New Hanover County Beekeepers Association website. We have a swarm removal list organized by zip code. A local beekeeper will come and safely remove the bees.”
Warwick brought an observation hive to the WWAY studio, showing how bees work inside the hive — from tending to brood in the lower frames to storing honey above.
She also stressed the ecological importance of bees and why extermination isn’t an option.
“Bees are protected, and exterminators won’t come kill them,” Warwick said. “Bees are so important for our ecosystem, our pollination. A third of your plate would be missing without the pollination services that that bees provide us.”
For more information or to find a swarm removal contact, visit the New Hanover County Beekeepers Association’s website.
