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Bee swarming is one of the most fascinating and delicate events in the life of a beehive. Understanding why bees swarm, when they do it, and how to prevent this behavior is essential for every beekeeper, especially for ensuring good honey production.

In this article, we explore all aspects related to bee swarming, offering tips to prevent bees from swarming and explaining the meaning of a bee swarm. The content is presented in clear, accessible language, suitable even for readers with a high school-level education.

Bee Swarm: Meaning and Natural Context

A bee swarm is a group of bees that leaves the hive in search of a new home. It is a natural behavior tied to the colony’s life cycle and to social, not individual, reproduction. This is not about a bee laying eggs, but about the multiplication of entire colonies.

When we talk about bee swarming, we refer to the process by which a portion of the hive separates from the original colony, taking a queen with it to form a new colony.

Why Do Bees Swarm?

The main reasons for swarming are:

• Overpopulation within the hive

• Presence of an old or inefficient queen

• Favorable weather conditions

• The colony’s need to expand

Additionally, bees start building queen cells—larger than normal—to raise new queens, which is a clear sign that something is changing inside the hive and that swarming is imminent.

Bee Swarming Season

In Italy, the bee swarming season typically runs from spring through early summer, especially from April to June. During these months, mild temperatures and an abundance of nectar and pollen stimulate the foraging bees, leading to rapid hive population growth. When resources are abundant but internal hive space is limited, swarming is just around the corner.

What Happens Days Before Swarming

Several days before swarming, the following signs can be observed:

• Worker bees start feeding larvae in queen cells

• Egg laying by the queen decreases

• Scout bees begin searching for new settlement sites

• Foraging activity changes

This is a crucial moment: at this stage, it is still possible to intervene and prevent swarm loss.

Types of Swarms: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary

Not all swarms are the same. The first swarm to leave the hive, known as the primary swarm, is the largest and includes the original queen. Later, secondary and tertiary swarms may occur, with young virgin queens departing with parts of the remaining bees. If uncontrolled, this phenomenon can seriously hinder honey production.

Tricks to Prevent Bee Swarming

For a beekeeper, avoiding swarming is often a priority. Here are some effective strategies:

• Regular inspections: check for the presence of queen cells

• Add space: install supers or empty frames to prevent overcrowding

• Replace the queen: young queens are less likely to prompt swarming

• Split the hive: create an artificial nucleus to avoid natural swarming

• Remove queen cells: a drastic but effective action if done in time

These practices help keep the colony under control and preserve its productivity.

The Role of Scout Bees and Decision-Making

When swarming is imminent, scout bees begin flying out to search for a new home. It can take several days for the swarm to settle. During this time, scouts compare various sites and return to the swarm to "vote" on the best one. This process is both fascinating and complex—almost democratic in nature.

What Happens During the Swarm

At the exact moment of swarming, a cloud of bees leaves the hive following the queen. The swarm can be quite spectacular: a loud, dense whirlwind. Usually, it temporarily clusters on a branch or another support while the scout bees finalize the new home choice. This is the ideal moment to capture the swarm and place it in a new hive.

When Swarming is Unavoidable

If prevention efforts fail and the swarm has already left, it's crucial to try to retrieve it. Recognizing the signs, monitoring the environment, and acting quickly are the beekeeper's only tools at this point.

Why Swarming Control is Crucial for Honey Production

One often overlooked but vital aspect of bee swarming is its direct impact on honey production. When a colony loses a large part of its population—especially a primary swarm—the number of foraging bees drops significantly, which in turn drastically reduces the hive’s productivity.

After swarming, the original colony undergoes a reorganization period. Worker bees begin caring for the remaining queen cells to raise a new queen. This process, which can last several days, temporarily halts egg laying, slowing the emergence of new generations and overall hive activity.

How Good Beekeeping Practices Help Prevent Swarming

Experienced beekeepers know that any action taken to maintain hive stability is an investment in its health and productivity. Controlling swarming doesn't mean forcing nature but guiding it through wise choices, such as:

• Selecting queens with low swarming tendency

• Regularly renewing frames

• Managing hive ventilation and humidity

All these practices help maintain a balanced internal environment, reducing colony stress and the likelihood of swarming.

A Growth Opportunity: Making Use of the Swarm

Bee swarming isn't always a loss. When well managed, it can be an opportunity for the beekeeper.

A captured swarm can be placed in an empty hive and turned into a productive new colony. In this way, the beekeeper naturally and sustainably expands the apiary. Using secondary and tertiary swarms can also help maintain good genetic diversity among colonies.

Conclusion: Supporting Hive Wellbeing

Bee swarming is a natural behavior that can be managed with care, knowledge, and technique. Beekeepers who recognize the signs—such as the presence of queen cells, changes in foraging behavior, a drop in egg laying, or the activity of scout bees—can intervene in time, maintaining colony balance and boosting honey production.

At Apicoltura Laterza, our goal is to promote responsible, sustainable, and productive beekeeping. We constantly monitor the status of our hives and train beekeepers in best practices to avoid losses due to swarming. In doing so, we ensure the wellbeing of our bees and the quality of our honey.