Swarming is a natural occurrence in the honey bee’s world. It is, in fact, the way honeybees reproduce and grow their numbers. In Western North Carolina, honeybees typically swarm from mid-April to mid-August.

To report a swarm: swarm@appalachianbeekeepers.com

  • Email the local bee club at the link above.
  • When you click send, the email will automatically go out to all of the local beekeepers who are available to come remove the swarm for you.
  • If you see a swarm, please do not call an exterminator!
  • There is no cost to have a beekeeper come remove the swarm, unlike an exterminator.
  • Beekeepers have all of the safety equipment needed to safely remove the swarm.
  • If you can, please also send a picture of the swarm at the same time you email the club.

Are you sure it is a swarm?

This is called “bearding.” It is not a swarm, but a way for honeybees to cool the hive in hot months.
This is a swarm of honeybees. They will appear in a tight, well-formed bundle and typically are very docile during the swarm.