Bee Swarm
Bee swarming only occurs in colonies that have an active egg-laying queen and thousands of workers. Weak colonies of bees cannot swarm until they become stronger and larger in population. Bee colonies may become weak due to starvation, disease or queens that do not produce large quantities of eggs. Without swarming, bees could become extinct.
Seasonal changes are the major reason for bee swarming. When the normal temperature of their habitat rises in spring, bees naturally swarm. This swarming enables the colony to develop more, allowing them to store enough honey in the summer and autumn to prepare for hibernation during winter.
Overcrowding can also lead to swarming. When overcrowding in a colony occurs, bees tend to swarm in the search for better living space. Congestion in a colony reduces the queen's pheromone supply, which she gives to worker bees. When a pheromone shortage occurs, the colony begins to build new cells for the queen.
Another cause for swarming is an imbalance of honey and pollen within a hive. When lack of honey production and excessive pollen supply occur in a colony, the nest expands and causes the workers to become idle. As a result, the hive becomes overcrowded and leads to a swarm.
Two kinds of bee swarms occur: primary and secondary. Queen bees lead primary swarms, which include a larger number of workers acting to protect the egg-laying queen. Secondary swarms are led by several virgin female bees and as a result, these swarms are half the size of the primary swarm.
While some swarms of bees are not likely to sting, certain bee species are known to attack defensively at slight provocation. For this reason, it is best to use caution when in the presence of any swarm.