Honey
August 7, 2026
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If you’ve ever looked up to see a thick cloud of bees moving in unison or spotted a dense cluster of bees hanging from a tree branch like a humming rugby ball, you’ve probably just witnessed a swarm. It can feel a bit dramatic, thousands of bees buzzing through the sky, but in reality, beekeeping swarming is one of the most natural and fascinating behaviours in the hive world. It’s also surprisingly non-aggressive.
Whether you’re a beekeeper, a gardener, or someone who’s just found a bee swarm on your back fence, understanding why bees swarm can help you know what to do next, and why it’s all part of a healthy ecosystem.
What Does Swarming Mean in Beekeeping?
In simple terms, beekeeping swarming is the process of a hive splitting in two. It usually happens when the colony gets too crowded or conditions are just right for expansion. The existing queen leaves the hive with thousands of worker bees to start fresh somewhere else. The bees that remain will raise a new queen and continue on in the original hive.
In the context of beekeeping, swarming is a colony-level reproduction strategy; a way for bees to expand their footprint and increase their chances of long-term survival. While it’s a good sign of a strong, healthy hive, it can be a headache for beekeepers who aren’t prepared for it. That’s why swarm management is such a key part of good beekeeping swarming practice, especially during peak seasons.
What Triggers Swarming in Honey Bees?
There are several triggers that can set off beekeeping swarming behaviour, most of which occur in spring and early summer when the weather is warm and flowers are blooming.
Common swarming triggers include:
- Overcrowding in the hive
- Poor ventilation or limited space to build
- A healthy, established queen ready to move on
- Abundant nectar and pollen that encourage rapid growth
- Seasonal changes and instinctive colony behaviour
In Western Australia, bee swarms are especially common during September, October and November. As spring nectar flows begin and hives grow quickly, colonies sometimes outgrow their space. When this happens, the bees make a decision to leave with their queen and find a new, more spacious home where they can take full advantage of the blooming season.
For those of us involved in migratory beekeeping, swarming is something we always monitor closely. As we relocate hives to follow seasonal blooms, from coastal scrub to native Jarrah forests the bees respond to their new environment, which can sometimes trigger swarming. Managing this is part of maintaining calm, productive colonies.
How to Stop Your Bees From Swarming
If you’re a beekeeper, especially a hobbyist or backyard one managing the risk of beekeeping swarming comes down to keeping the colony comfortable and monitored. Most swarms can be prevented with regular care.
Tips to reduce swarming:
Inspect your hives weekly during spring to catch queen cells early
- Add space by adding supers or brood boxes
- Split strong, growing hives before they split themselves
- Ensure good airflow with proper ventilation
- Rotate old comb to stimulate productive behaviour
At Piesseful Bees, we check our hives closely as part of our migratory beekeeping routine. Hive size, queen behaviour, and food supply all influence how we plan our seasonal moves and avoid unwanted swarms.
What to Do If You See Bees Swarming
If you come across a swarm, whether it’s on your fence, in a tree, or clinging to a mailbox, DON’T PANIC. Swarming bees are not interested in stinging or attacking. In fact, they’re usually very placid. They’ve filled up on honey before leaving the hive, and their main focus is protecting their queen while they wait for scout bees to return with a location for their new home.
Here's what to do:
- Stay calm and keep your distance
- Don’t spray or hose them, it won’t work and could agitate them
- Call a local beekeeper or licensed swarm catcher only if they’ve settled and have been there longer than 48 hours
- Don’t block or disturb the cluster, they’re in transition, not nesting
Swarming bees may look alarming, but they are least likely to sting during this phase. They’re simply resting and protecting their queen while the scout bees are out searching for a more permanent location.
Why It’s Important to Act Quickly
This is the best time to have a swarm removed, before it relocates and establishes a permanent hive in an inconvenient place.
Once a swarm finds its new location, the bees get to work straight away. They build comb, the queen starts laying eggs, and the colony begins storing nectar. At this point, they are no longer considered a swarm. Their gentle nature may change, and removal becomes much harder.
Where Do Bee Swarms Settle in WA?
Unfortunately, bees don’t always choose the most convenient places to call home.
Common spots for feral hives:
- Tree hollows
- Telstra pits and meter boxes
- Garden reticulation boxes
- Outdoor furniture
- Gaps in double brick walls or behind weatherboards
- Inside sheds, eaves or roof cavities
Removing bees from these locations is known as a cut out or a trap out, and may require removing bricks, weatherboards, or even tree limbs. In rare cases, when removal isn’t feasible, euthanising the colony may be the only option. This is why calling a beekeeper early makes all the difference.
For bees in Telstra pits, call 132200 and say “Report damages.” Provide the nearest physical address. Only Telstra-registered beekeepers can remove bees from Telstra equipment.
To find a reputable swarm catcher, check out the WAAS swarm collection list Many beekeepers will remove swarms free of charge or for a small callout fee.
Beekeeping Swarming Is Natural, But Timing Is Everything
Although a buzzing ball of bees may look intimidating, beekeeping swarming is a natural, seasonal event, and a good sign that a colony is thriving. Whether you’re managing hives, living near one, or simply stumble across a swarm in your yard, knowing what’s going on makes a big difference.
At Piesseful Bees, we see swarms regularly as part of our migratory beekeeping routine across WA. And we know firsthand that early intervention is key, both for the safety of the bees and the convenience of the humans who share space with them. So if you spot a swarm, reach out to a local beekeeper, and enjoy the rare glimpse into the clever, cooperative world of honey bees.
Piesseful Bees Honey
Piesseful Bees Honey, Australia's favourite honey shop. 100% raw honey from Western Australia, including Jarrah honey and bush honey.
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