Experts say bee swarms aren’t a cause for alarm

By CHRISTINE HAINES

chaines@yourmvi.com

A flying cloud of swarming bees or a mass of clustering bees on the side of a building or tree — while they may be frightening sights, they aren’t usually a danger to the public.

Stephen Repasky of Dormont is the president of the Pennsylvania State Beekeepers Association, a certified beekeeper and author of “Swarm Essentials.”

“The basic biology of a honeybee swarm is, it’s a large scale reproduction of a hive itself. When a colony gets too large for the cavity it’s living in, it splits in half,” Repasky said. “Honey bees in general are very docile and prior to swarming, they engorge themselves with honey. They’re well-fed and they have no home to defend because they are basically homeless.”

Repasky said that while people have an innate fear of stinging insects, the bees pose little danger as long as they are left alone.

“But when someone tries to hose them down or spray them with insecticide, they’ll defend themselves,” Repasky said.

Albert Fine of the Fine Family Apiary in Forward Township, said that in most cases, the bees clustering on a building or elsewhere will move on within a few hours. In some cases, they may stay put for a few days, but it’s not a permanent situation. 

“They’re sending out workers and deciding where they want to start a new colony,” Fine said.

They initially cluster at a spot usually within 100 feet or so of their old hive as a new location is found. Repasky said the cluster can range from the size of a volleyball to a large beach ball and it can be any shape, not necessarily round. 

“It’s a wonder of nature. Try to sit back and enjoy it,” Repasky said.

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