by Kelsey Penrose
Spring has sprung and new green leaves are starting to push through, along with the first flower buds on fruit trees, and the always too-early daffodils that pop up before first frost ends. Soon the pastures will be green again and Spring and Summer flowers will come through and liven up our region.
But those pretty flowers won’t survive long without our ever diligent friend, the honeybee! Spring is also time for swarm season, and we’re already starting to see swarms throughout the Carson City area.
A swarm occurs when a honeybee colony becomes too large, and splits into two colonies. The second colony will leave the hive and head out to find a new home, whether it be a hollow log, an empty attic, or a backyard hive!
Swarms usually occur in the springtime, as we are seeing now, but they can also occur in Summer and even as late as Fall.
Swarming is essential for bee survival, because if they stay in the same hive, resources will become scarce and the hive will die. Plus, seeing swarms is a good thing because it means that our honey bee population is growing!
You may see swarms collecting in a tree, on a mailbox, or even on a car, but don’t worry, they won’t stay there forever. The worker bees protect the queen inside the swarm while scout bees go off to find a good location for their next hive.
However, if the bees decide they do like that location, and you’re not so sure about how ready you are to share your front porch with an entire beehive, the Northern Nevada Beekeepers Association can be called to help.
They have a list of swarm collectors who will come and carefully extract the swarm, bringing them to a safe and appropriate location.
Northern Nevada Beekeepers association 2020 Swarm Control and Rescue List
Please note before picking a swarm catcher: Swarms are a temporary resting spot for bees. If you have bees entering and leaving an attic, wall or other structure, that may be a colony and may require an individual who is more experienced than a swarm catcher and may require construction work and repair.
Carson City, Minden, Gardnerville and Genoa Areas:
Donna Murphy-Sharp (Washoe Valley, Carson City) (775) 772-4953
Tom Currence (775) 782-7017 or (775) 781-8159
Dayton / Silver Springs:
Richard Roesner (775) 241-2313
For the full list of swarm catchers, click here.
When in doubt, if they’re not bothering you, just let the swarm be (get it?) and they’ll move on once the scouts have found an appropriate location. But if you’re concerned, the swarm catchers will be more than willing to help.
