“Swarming Season” By Annie Watson
There is nothing so thrilling as lying in the grass on a hot May or June day while thousands of bees fly in a circular pattern overhead, the air filled with the sound of their wings. Drawn by the queen’s pheromone, the swarm comes to temporary rest in a large clump on the branch of a tree or other structure. Here they hang in an amazingly quiet cluster until scout bees have found a suitable permanent home. As the sun beats down and the soft grass tickles your arms, you experience Life and Nature in all their glory.
There’s nothing to fear here. Contrary to popular misconception, a honey bee swarm is not particularly dangerous. Swarming is the natural way for a honey bee colony to reproduce, and the bees are at their most gentle when swarming. If you see a honey bee swarm, DO NOT spray it with water or pesticide! Call a beekeeper (find your local beekeeping organization on the Web) to come and remove it. In the meantime, enjoy watching the swarm from a distance.
For more information about honey bee swarms, go to these sites:
http://entomology.unl.edu/beekpg/beeswarm.shtml
http://whereyouareplanted.com/what-to-do-if-you-see-a-swarm-of-bees-this-spring/