|
|
Cooperative Extension Service |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Agricultural
Experiment Station |
|
|
|
|
|
Aquaculture
Dale Bumpers College
|
Beekeeping - Apiculture in Arkansas
|
|
|
|
A honey bee swarm in a tree. |
|
|
| Beekeeper collecting a a swarm of bees. |
Swarming is the reproduction of a honey bee colony. It is a normal and natural phenomenon, and rarely poses a danger to people or animals. When bees have good weather and plenty of food, their populations can increase dramatically. When the bees become crowded inside their current home (a bee hive, hollow tree, or other cavity) they will begin to raise a new queen bee. When this new queen is almost mature, the old queen will leave the hive, followed by about one half or two-thirds of the worker bees and some of the drones. This queen bee will land nearby, on a tree, shrub, fencepost or even a building. The worker bees cluster around the queen to protect her and keep her warm. Meanwhile, scout bees are sent out in all directions to search for another suitable home for their colony. When a suitable site has been found, the entire swarm of bees will take to the air and settle into their new home. Once inside, the workers will begin to secrete beeswax, and build new combs for the queen to lay eggs and for the storage of honey. Meanwhile, back in the old hive, the new queen bee will soon mature, mate, and begin to lay eggs. Soon the population of bees in the original colony will begin to increase again.
While a swarm of bees may appear frightening to some people, they are generally quite harmless. Because they do not have any brood or honey to protect, a new swarm is usually very gentle in temperament and they rarely sting. Unless the swarm poses a definite threat to people, they can be left alone and admired from a distance. The bees will likely remain for only a few days, and then suddenly fly away to establish their new home.
Swarm collection
A swarm of bees can often be removed quite easily. If the queen bee can be collected, most of the other bees will follow her into a new hive. Some beekeepers will be pleased to remove a swarm of bees from your property. But the bees may be located high in a tree, on a wall or some other inaccessible place which a beekeeper cannot easily reach them. Many beekeepers, however, are not interested in collecting swarms, which are often too small to produce much honey, and because collecting the bees can sometimes involve a great deal of time and labor. Additionally, swarms of bees from unknown sources can have undesirable genetic dispositions, or can carry diseases, pests and parasites that may contaminate a beekeeper's other hives.
Feral colony removal
Honey bees are not native to the Americas, but were brought here by colonists in the 17th century. Bees were well-adapted for the climate in North America, and through the centuries many colonies have swarmed and set up their homes in hollow trees and other suitable cavities. For this reason, bee colonies not living in managed hives are considered feral, and not wild. Sometimes feral bees will find an opening in the walls of homes or other structures and move into the hollow spaces inside and begin building comb. These colonies can pose potential risks to residents, neighbors and pets, as well as causing damage to the structure and attracting pests such as mice and other insects. Removal of bees from a home can be a costly and time-consuming process depending on where the bees are located and how long the colony has been established. Each situation is unique. A local beekeeper may be willing to help you remove the bees, but a licensed contractor should be used if a significant amount of the structure must be dismantled and repaired.
To locate a beekeeper in your area that may be willing to collect a swarm of bees from your property, you may consult the swarm control list (PDF) or contact the Cooperative Extension Service Apiculture office. If you are a beekeeper, and would be willing to collect swarms of honey bees in your local area, you may submit your contact information and have your name placed on the swarm control list.
With the arrival of Africanized bees in Arkansas, some southern and western counties are under quarantine for moving honey bees. Small swarms of Africanized bees may appear to be gentle at first, but as the colony population increases, and the bees rear brood and collect a substantial amount of honey, their temperament may become increasingly defensive. For this reason, collecting swarms of bees in quarantined counties is not advised, and the destruction of the colony is often recommended. You may contact the State Plant Board at 501-225-1598 to arrange for an apiary inspector to investigate swarms or feral bee colonies in trees or structures.
Professional Bee Removal Services
Please note: It is a violation of Arkansas law to remove bees from a structure for a fee without a valid pest control operator's license or honey bee removal license. If you are interested in obtaining a license please contact the Pest Control Section of the State Plant Board at 501-225-1598. Several companies are licensed for bee removal, and will to travel anywhere in the state if needed. This information is provided only as a public service, and does not constitute an endorsement of this company on the part of the Cooperative Extension Service:
Arkansas Bee Busters • Jerry Culbreath • Hot Springs • 501-844-6319 • Will travel statewide.
Critter Control of Central Arkansas • Tamula Spurlin • Sherwood • 501-834-8727 • Small jobs in central Arkansas, large jobs statewide.
Hawthorn Honey Bee Removal • Tim Hawthorn • Hot Springs • 501-282-4804 • Will travel statewide
|
© 2006 |
|
|
University of Arkansas • Division of Agriculture |
Mission
•
Disclaimer
•
EEO
•
|
