Honey bees have been kept by people for centuries. Honey is also one of the only foods that will not spoil, even after over 1000 years! Many people are afraid of bees, including honey bees and some people are very allergic to being stung, so when a number of honey bees are gathered in a swarm, the first impulse is to use water or chemicals, sometimes even fire to kill the bees.
This is unnecessary, and in some cases, it is now against the law to harm certain species of honey bees. It can be alarming for someone not familiar with honey bees to see a swarm, but swarming is a natural process for the bees.
When a queen leaves a hive with sometimes more than half of the bees from the hive, this is called a prime swarm. If a virgin queen leaves a hive- usually with fewer bees- this is called an after swarm.
There are times when a swarm forms on or close to a residence, or a vehicle, and when this happens it may be a good idea to find a company that has experience removing honeybees.
Removing honey bees should not be attempted by someone who does not have experience with honey bees as if the bees feel threatened they could become aggressive and may try to sting around the eyes or throat of someone who they feel has threatened them. This takes place because nature has made the bees wary of predators who may be looking for honey.
It is important to know that when honey bees swarm, they are not as aggressive as when they are in a nest, because a swarm usually has no larval bees or honey to defend and when the bees leave the main hive to swarm, they have a good meal because they do not know how long it will be until they are able to eat again.
Even though a Honey Bee Swarm in Westerville OH may appear dangerous, if handled by a company that has the right experience, the bees can be removed safely, so they are no longer in close proximity to people or pets. To learn more about what to do with a Honey Bee Swarm in Westerville OH contact us.
