What Time Of Day Do Bees Swarm?

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I have been asked what time of day do bees swarm on many occasions. Do bees swarm at night? Why do they swarm? What time of year do bees swarm?

We have looked at how bees rear queens here, and how this can lead to swarming if we do not control it. In summary, it is a natural part of bee biology that bees will produce swarms.

Why Do Bees Swarm?

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This really depends on a number of factors. We need to think first about the logistics of swarming. A swarm consists of anywhere from 3000 bees to 70 000 bees if the entire hive absconds.

What Time Of Day Do Bees Swarm?

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Bees will swarm at a time of day when it is warm enough for them to fly. At temperatures below 55°F bees struggle to fly hence it is safe to say they will not swarm at this temperature

Temperature

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Day Length and Angle Of The Sun

In general, as the season moves from winter, to spring to summer the time of day the bees will swarm tends to get earlier and earlier as the days become longer

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Do Bees Swarm At Night?

The short answer is no. Generally no. However, bees are a pain in the neck, and any generalization about what they do, and how they do it will be proven wrong occasionally.

In an area where there are later honey flows, swarming will occur based on the availability of resources for swarming.

What Time Of Year Do Bees Swarm?

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Emergency Swarms

A normal swarm occurs due to the hive increasing in population.  An emergency swarm occurs when bees are forced to leave a hive due to it being burnt  flooded/destroyed.

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ADVICE

As a beekeeper, the emergency swarm is much easier to capture and to re-hive. The bees are not in the mood to be flying anywhere. Give them a new hive with a frame of brood and a few combs of pollen.

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