Southern California Residents Should Expect Swarming this Spring

southern california beehive

southern california bees

Suppose you have ever encountered swarming bees flying over an area or conglomerating in a temporary spot while they look for a new place to call home. In that case, it can be alarming to witness thousands of bees moving together or hanging off a tree branch. Although this is a regular activity for bees, it is anything but ordinary to come across this springtime activity without taking a step back. Southern California residents may or may not be used to this bee activity, but it is a natural and expected part of the annual bee cycle.

As spring begins to bring warmer weather, new flower blooms, and colorful landscapes, swarming is something that should be expected. Hives are busy with activity; they often reach maximum capacity in the spring, and a new hive location is necessary for survival and continued growth. Swarming is when bees are looking for a new site to call home, which is why they travel in large numbers. Knowing what to expect, when, and how to handle it if swarming disrupts your home or business can help Southern California residents seamlessly move through this season.

Is Bee Swarming Dangerous?

As intimidating as a swarm of bees may be, they are typically not aggressive and should be left alone. Messing with a swarm may make bees aggressive, and angry bees tend to sting. If a swarm is left alone, it is improbable the bees within it will sting because they need to save energy to establish their new home. Swarming bees are said to be some of the most docile. Stinging takes energy, and bees reserve everything they can to successfully re-establish their home.

Another reason swarming bees are generally not aggressive is that bees most often sting when they feel their hive is under attack. If there are baby bees or honey in a hive, bees will protect, giving them a reason to sting. Swarming has neither of those things to watch over, so sting attacks are not typical.

Advice: Leave swarming bees alone; they should leave you alone too!

Why Do Bees Swarm Anyway?

The biggest question surrounding swarming bees is why they do what they do. The short answer is that all bees try to make more bees and reproduce. Reproduction is one of the five functions of all living things, and bees are no exception. So, as with anything that continues to grow, eventually, there needs to be more space. When the hive grows too large, the bees will split and half stay put while the others go to a new location with a new queen. The selection of the new queen is for another blog!

When bees split, the scout bees search around to find a new location and then return to direct the remaining bees to the chosen site, which is done in several ways, including a bee dance. When all this happens, the hive is simultaneously selecting a new queen and preparing the current queen for her travel to the new spot. Since the queen will be flying a significant distance, she reduces her intake to weigh less during flight. It is during this time when people observe or encounter swarming.

Why Don’t Bees Swarm in Summer?

Bees may swarm in summer too! Especially in Southern California, with such ideal weather for most of the year, bees may swarm during the spring, summer, or even early fall. Spring is the first part of the year when the weather warms consistently, and flowers and new plants burst with color and pollen. These perfect swarming conditions pave the way for bees to swarm safely, and they find a temporary spot nearby, usually on a tree, fence, or a bush. It is an incredible thing to watch! The bees may stay in this short-term location for a few hours but may take several days.

The Best Way to Handle a Swarming Encounter

Although a fascinating natural occurrence, sometimes people feel unnerved by thousands of bees hanging out in their trees, understandably. Swarms should be left alone, and bees will soon move to their new home. However, there are times when a swarm may pose a high risk to people or pets, and in these situations, it is critical to contact a professional bee removal company. If you are in Southern California, D-Tek is the area’s most reliable, fast-responding, and thorough bee removal company. Servicing Orange County to San Diego, D-Tek knows how to safely handle unwanted hives, swarms and specialize in live bee removal.

Advice: Do not disrupt a swarm or hive without professional help. If bees feel attacked and become aggressive, they may deliver multiple stings, which can be dangerous for anyone.

If you have concerns about bee activity, a hive on your property, or a swarm in your area, contact D-Tek for an immediate response!