Honey bee queens produce a pheromone that inhibits the production of new queen bees. But as colonies become increasingly crowded the message fails to make it to all the bees, or older queens begin to produce lower levels of the pheromone.
Are there any problems with the bee colonies?
The independent Bee Informed Partership, which was founded by a grant from the US Department of Agriculture, reported that despite bee health problems in recent years, trends are favorable in tracking overwinter losses, considered the key statistic in evaluating bee colony health.
Is the population of honeybees going up or down?
While not as valuable for tracking annual numbers, the census confirms the upward trend in managed bee colonies, with a 13.1% increase between 2007 and 2012. The overall population of honeybees in the US, Canada and Europe has held steady or increased slightly since the widespread adoption of neonics in the 1990s.
Can a swarm of bees move on without stings?
Swarming bees will not have yellow or orange pollen evident in pollen baskets on their hind legs, and swarms will not be seen moving in and out of cavities. Swarms will often move on in a few days without intervention and although not defensive, they can sting if disturbed.
Is the swarming of bees dangerous to humans?
Since swarming bees are focused on finding a new home, they are not generally defensive and rarely pose any danger to humans or other animals. Swarming is common during spring and continues throughout the year while pollen and nectar sources support growing colonies.
Why are the bees swarming in the spring?
As the spring days lengthen, and temperatures increase, plants generating new sources of pollen and nectar stimulate the rearing of brood (baby bees). Bees forage for food and water to regulate temperature and liquefy crystalized honey to feed the brood.
