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Project Noah Nature School
Apis
Honey bee swarm Honey bee swarms may contain several hundred to several thousand worker bees, a few drones and one queen. Swarming bees fly around briefly and then cluster on a tree limb, shrub or other object. Clusters usually remain stationary for an hour to a few days, depending on weather and the time needed to find a new nest site by scouting bees. When a suitable location for the new colony, such as a hollow tree, is found the cluster breaks up and flies to it. Honey bee swarms are not highly dangerous under most circumstances. Swarming honey bees feed prior to swarming, reducing their ability to sting. Further, bees away from the vicinity of their nest (offspring and food stores) are less defensive and are unlikely to sting unless provoked.
Belton Lake area.
Spotted on Sep 24, 2012
Submitted on Oct 3, 2012
1 Comment
Nice capture. If you call your local extension office, they can send beekeepers out to capture and relocate the swarm to a new home.