1 post tagged “bee”

The bees are already swarming this year. It's a natural part of their lifecycle, in which a successful hive splits in two. The swarm goes out looking for a good place to start a new colony. During this odyssey, they may pause en masse, while scouts scour the area.

You'll know a swarm when you see it. When they settle, it looks like a solid mass of bees that may be the size of a softball or a soccer ball. They often land on trees or walls, but they may settle anywhere.

Swarming bees are not aggressive. They're trying to conserve their resources until they've found a new location. Think of them as a family stranded overnight in the airport: tired, hungry, but determined to complete the journey.

Aside from all the pollination they do, the swarm you see is valuable to a beekeeper. The Alameda County Beekeepers Association can help you help the bees by removing them to a safe place, usually a beekeeper's available hive.

If you find a swarm, don't be afraid. Do keep kids and pets away from it, but don't fear that they'll rise up and attack you. Instead, call our swarm coordinator, Denise Qualls. She knows all the beekeepers, who's available, and who is best suited to handle your situation.

Call Denise at 510-885-1014 or email her at denise at pollinationconnection dot com.

Happy spring!