Swarming Behaviour: What Beekeepers Need to Know
This article is part of our complete guide to Starting Beekeeping in South Africa.
Swarming is the natural way honeybee colonies reproduce.
While it may seem like a problem, swarming is a sign of a strong, healthy hive.
For South African beekeepers, understanding the causes, signs, and prevention of swarming is key to keeping colonies productive and under control.
What Is Swarming?
- Swarming happens when a queen and a portion of the colony leave the hive to start a new one
- The remaining bees raise a new queen to continue in the original hive
- Occurs mostly in spring and early summer when colonies are strong and forage is plentiful
Why Bees Swarm
- Hive congestion: too many bees and not enough space
- Good weather and abundant food
- Old queen nearing end of productivity
- Genetics: some bee strains swarm more often
Swarming Season in South Africa
- Main swarming season: August to December
- Coastal regions may experience earlier or extended swarming due to mild climate
- Highveld and inland: swarms often peak in October and November
Warning Signs of Swarming
- Presence of queen cells along the bottom of brood frames
- Reduced egg-laying by the queen
- Bees backfilling brood nest with nectar
- Overcrowding at hive entrance or on frames
What Happens During a Swarm
- Scout bees identify new locations days before
- Queen and 40–70% of bees fly out and cluster on a tree or structure
- Swarm moves to new location within hours or days
- Remaining bees raise a new queen in original hive
Why Beekeepers Want to Prevent Swarming
- Loss of bees = reduced honey production
- Queen may be lost during flight
- Swarm may settle in unwanted places (e.g. schools, homes)
- Weakens colony left behind
How to Prevent Swarming
1. Regular Hive Inspections
- Check for queen cells and signs of congestion
- Inspect every 7–10 days during swarm season
2. Provide Space
- Add extra supers or brood boxes before bees run out of room
- Remove old, unused combs to open up space
3. Split Strong Colonies
- Create a nucleus hive to reduce population pressure
- Use frames with brood, honey, and nurse bees
4. Requeen
- Young queens swarm less
- Replace old queens in late summer or early spring
5. Destroy Swarm Cells (Carefully)
- Only if you’re sure colony has a functioning queen
- Remove queen cups and swarm cells on frame bottoms
What to Do If a Hive Has Swarmed
- Check for queen cells in original hive
- Ensure remaining colony has eggs and healthy brood
- Feed lightly if swarm depleted stores
- Consider combining weak hive with stronger one
Final Thoughts
Swarming is part of bee biology, but it doesn’t have to cost you productivity.
South African beekeepers who learn the seasonal patterns and monitor hive space can prevent most swarms and even use them to expand apiaries through controlled splits.