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Swarms
A swarm is the only way that a honeybee
colony can reproduce itself. When a
colony is particularly prosperous,
bursting with bees and honey (often
between May and July), the old queen
leaves the hive with around half of the
worker bees and attendant drones to
found a new colony elsewhere in the
neighbourhood. She leaves behind in
the old nest, several developing
princesses that will emerge from their
cells, fight for supremacy and
eventually the surviving member will
head the colony.
The bees are usually so intent on the
process of swarming that they are
particularly gentle and the swarm can
be handled without protective clothing.
To an active beekeeper, a swarm is not
worth any money, often being regarded
as a potential source of disease and
bees of unknown temperament, however we
have several members who are prepared
to collect swarms as a service to the
community.
If the swarm is difficult to access,
there will normally be a charge to
cover travelling expenses
If you spot an unwelcome swarm, please
phone our swarm liason officer who will
be pleased to either collect himself,
or refer you to another member who can
offer assistance.
Our swarm liason officer is Reg Davis.
01722 501201
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