How to Catch a Bee Swarm?

A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Imagine you’ve decided to start beekeeping and you really need bees, but you don’t want to buy a swarm— you can catch one yourself.

Today, I will explain how to do this.

This process benefits not only the beekeeper but also the bees themselves. During the swarming flight, many bees may die without finding a new home. In this case, you are not only helping ensure future honey harvests but also saving the insects' lives.

A bee swarm is the formation of a new bee colony that has separated from the original or parent colony. Bee colonies usually swarm at the end of spring when the weather has warmed up and there are many young, unoccupied bees in the hive.

In practice, the most effective way to catch bees is by using a "trap."Prepare the trap in advance—a wooden box with frames for honeycombs. You can make it yourself. Basically, you need a mini-hive for 3-4 bee frames. The box is best constructed from old boards. It should have at least one old frame to attract bees by scent and a few new ones.

Next, find a suitable location— a tree away from the road and hidden from view. The tree should be tall and located at the edge of the forest. It’s important that there are beekeeping activities in the area; otherwise, the chances of catching a swarm will be very low.Then, securely attach the trap to the tree at a height of 3-5 meters using wire or rope, ensuring it can withstand strong winds. After securing the trap, walk around the tree several times to make sure it is well hidden and not exposed to sunlight.

After setting up the trap, check it at least once a week. Once a swarm is caught, it needs to be transported to a location more than 5 kilometers away.