Spring and into early summer is "swarm season" for bees, and it's a truly spectacular event! A bee swarm occurs when an older queen leaves an overcrowded hive to make room for younger bees. She takes her greatest fans with her for protection and they head out to find a new hive location. A swarm can settle anywhere... even on the side of a car... but often in a bush or low on a tree. The queen lands and is completely enveloped by her protective clan where they hang for a few hours or even a few days while scouts find a new location. The swarm is docile and not aggressive since they are not protecting their food source. They can be still or active while they monitor and regulate the queen's temperature and cool or warm her accordingly.
If you are lucky enough to see a swarm, please take pictures and share with your friends! Do NOT spray these beloved creatures as they are a species that is struggling and we need to do our best to foster their well being... not exterminate them. If they are making you nervous, there are lots of local beekeeping organizations that will come to relocate the hive. They can even help you set up your own hive if you are interested in becoming a beekeeper! But please educate yourself before taking on this great task. Beekeeping is hard work and a delicate operation. The rewards are sweet, however!
Here are some links to some excellent beekeeping organizations:
http://www.coloradobeekeepers.org/
Bee Aware, and Bee Kind!
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