As temperatures warm each spring, honeybees leave their winter hives in search of a new home. But don’t be alarmed if you see a swarm flying by or temporarily resting while they search.
A swarm of around 10,000 bees rested on a fence post at a home in Mosheim on Tuesday. The bees were perfectly content and not the least bit aggressive. Joel Hausser, a member of the Davy Crockett Beekeepers Association, said that as the hives hatch new bees over winter and grow in size, they will leave in search of a more suitable summer home. Hives may even split into separate colonies. While scouting for a new place to build a hive, the swarm will often stop on buildings, tree limbs, or anywhere they can find a place to congregate. Hausser even removed a swarm from a fire hydrant in downtown Greeneville a few years ago.
The bees present no danger. Unless you went looking to get stung, they aren’t likely to bother you. Hausser softly scooped this swarm off the fence post with hands covered only in thin plastic gloves. While he did wear head protection, during the entire time he delicately transferred the bees to a box, they never seemed to mind.
Hausser said that once the Queen was moved to the box, the others would pick up on her pheromones and follow. And after just a few scoops and a few minutes, the bees did in fact begin moving from the fence to the box.
Hausser took the bees to a hive at his home where they were protected from Tuesday night’s rain and the freezing cold in the coming days. The hive, however, would have been okay, even in the rain, Hausser said. They would also have kept huddled together for warmth and most likely would have found a better place to set up their temporary home as the colder weather approaches over the next few days.
For more information, you can find the Davy Crockett Beekeepers Association on Facebook.
