What to do when you find a swarm of HONEY BEES

For detailed information about the topics below, click on the image for a PDF of the Honey Bee Swarm Catchers of New York State by Cornell CALS.

• Honey bee swarms
• What should I do if I see a swarm?
• Some beekeepers remove established honey bee colonies, wasp nests, and carpenter bees
• Distinguishing honey bees from other insects

NEW YORK STATE SWARM CATCHERS IN SENECA COUNTY

AREAS SERVED	BEEKEEPER'S NAME	CONTACT INFO	CATCHES SWARMS?	PERFORMS EXTRACTIONS?
County-wide	Gigi Marks & Blair Tily	(607) 229-6905 (607) 277-8280 gigimarks@gmail.com	Yes	Yes
Ovid, Romulus, Lodi, Covert	Duane Waid	Home (607) 532-4391 Cell (607) 220-9556 waidshoney@fltg.net	Yes	Please inquire
Northern Seneca County	Dennis Riegel	Cell (315) 729-0704 dariegel37@gmail.com	Yes	No

What is a swarm? (Information provided by the Finger Lakes Beekeepers Club)

Swarming is nature's way of increasing the number of honey bee colonies in the world. Swarms usually are seen in May or June. When airborne they seem huge but generally range in size from a football to a basketball. Some are much larger. Honey bee swarms are usually very docile, not having a home to defend. They often are observed in transit. These migrating swarms are very desirable to beekeepers who like to collect swarms. Once they take up residence in a wall or chimney, they are much harder to deal with. Many beekeepers do not have the skill or inclination to tackle the removal of bees from such predicaments.

Ultimately, if honey bees get into your walls, you may have to call an exterminator. Bees, once on your property, belong to you and you can do with them what you see fit. They are not an endangered species, nor is it illegal to kill them if they become a nuisance. We hope you will give our beekeepers a chance to rescue them, however. Please do not call beekeepers about hornets, wasps, bumble bees, carpenter bees, yellow jackets, termites or spiders. Honey bees are recognized by their small size and their downy appearance. Other insects may be similar in color.

Last updated August 22, 2019