Preparing to Swarm

PennStateExtension+OLC-1006+2017+type@html+block@eb2a92e6d63c45ff8d2e8782a010848d" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-bottom: 0.1rem solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding-bottom: 1rem; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">

PennStateExtension+OLC-1006+2017+type@html+block@eb2a92e6d63c45ff8d2e8782a010848d" data-type="HTMLModule" data-course-id="course-v1:PennStateExtension+OLC-1006+2017" style="box-sizing: border-box;">

Preparing to Swarm

As discussed, a variety of factors contribute to the bees' inclination to swarm. When beekeepers fail to take steps to prevent such factors, or matters are out of their control, a colony will swarm.

In preparation for swarming, the workers encourage the queen to lay eggs in queen cups, rear more drones, cluster near the entrance (not due to discomfort), and reduce foraging activity.

Queen Cups and Queen Cells

Strong healthy colonies typically make 10-40 "queen cups." These are light yellow and hang vertically from the lower edges of the brood combs. Queen cups become queen cells when the queen lays eggs in them. If found during swarming season, they may also be called swarm cells.

PennStateExtension+OLC-1006+2017+type@asset+block/S4Queen_cups.jpg" alt="Queen Cups" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; max-width: 100%; line-height: 1.4em; height: auto;">
A colony makes queen cups in preparation for swarming. Queen cups become known as queen cells after the queen lays eggs in them.

PennStateExtension+OLC-1006+2017+type@html+block@3479ad2cfe5e4898a2f2f17b42497652" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-bottom: 0.1rem solid rgb(221, 221, 221); padding-bottom: 1rem; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">

PennStateExtension+OLC-1006+2017+type@html+block@3479ad2cfe5e4898a2f2f17b42497652" data-type="HTMLModule" data-course-id="course-v1:PennStateExtension+OLC-1006+2017" style="box-sizing: border-box;">

Preparing the Queen for Swarming

In preparation of the swarm, several things occur:

Reduced feeding of royal jelly

As a result of reduced feeding, less egg-laying and shrunken abdomen

Body weight reduction, by at least 50%

The old queen, some drones, and 50%–60% of the workers are in the primary swarm. Before their flight, workers devour honey and store it in their honey stomachs, in order to:

Prepare for a period of no food.

Stimulate their wax glands to build a new honeycomb.

Regurgitate any remaining honey in the new comb and feed the budding colony.

PennStateExtension+OLC-1006+2017+type@html+block@1fc8305bceb2475a995e0e2a19e57fd7" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: none; padding-bottom: 1rem; margin: 1rem 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">

PennStateExtension+OLC-1006+2017+type@html+block@1fc8305bceb2475a995e0e2a19e57fd7" data-type="HTMLModule" data-course-id="course-v1:PennStateExtension+OLC-1006+2017" style="box-sizing: border-box;">

Swarm Initiation

Usually, swarms fly out of their hives on calm, sunny days from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and settle on a nearby tree, shrub, post, or building.

They may stay in this initial location anywhere from several minutes to several days, until scout bees find them a new cavity to settle in. Sometimes, smaller after-swarms will follow with the newly emerged virgin queen(s).

If, for any reason, the old queen cannot accompany the swarm, it will return to its old hive.

PennStateExtension+OLC-1006+2017+type@asset+block/S4B-swarm15_in_air.jpg" alt="sky filled with bees" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px; vertical-align: middle; max-width: 100%; line-height: 1.4em; height: auto;">
A swarm typically flies out of the hive on a calm, sunny day. Scout bees search for a new hive location.