Is this a bee swarm?

We love getting calls about bee swarms, but we often get calls about swarms that either turn out to be a different species (such as yellow jackets) or another normal bee behavior (such as bees raiding outdoor trash cans in the fall). Let's take a look at some key differences, but also if in doubt, contact us!

Are they bees?

Swarming is a normal behavior for many flying insects, including some wasps, bumblebees, and even termites. Some insects such as yellow jackets and hover flies closely resemble bees, especially when there are many of them flying around in an area. Try to get a close look at just one of the insects you see, to identify it as accurately as possible.

Here is a quick guide to the key differences between bees and wasps (YouTube video)

Is it swarm season?

Honeybees only swarm in the spring and early summer, usually from April through June in Oklahoma, although some swarms have been reported as early as March or as late as July. If you see a large number of bees flying around an area (such as outdoor trash cans) in the fall, they are not swarming, but simply foraging for nectar to prepare for the coming winter.

Are they dangerous?

Swarming is a normal behavior for honeybees, when half the colony leaves the hive in springtime to establish a new hive elsewhere. A swarm may look intimidating, but the bees are too busy moving to their new hive to pay much attention to humans, and they are literally weighed down with as much honey and pollen as they can carry to start building their new brood nest, so this is the least likely time for them to sting you.

What should I do?

If it is swarm season and you believe they are honeybees, contact us or call any local beekeeper in your area! Most beekeepers are always excited to catch a swarm and remove them to a managed hive, which usually works out better for both the bees and the human public. As a last resort, you may call an exterminator, but understand that most exterminators will simply refer the swarm call to a beekeeper. Please do not ever spray bees with an insecticide! Bees, including honeybees, bumblebees, and mason bees, are essential pollinators, and several native bee species are under threat of extinction. Please pass the word along to your family and coworkers that bees are important, do not present an actual threat to humans, and are struggling to survive.

If you see bees in outdoor trash cans or other areas of human traffic in the fall, the best practice is to empty the trash cans often, removing the sources of sweet liquids (such as beer and soda pop) from high traffic areas. Use slow deliberate movements while doing so, and avoid swatting the bees, as swatting encourages stinging.

If you have identified a species of wasp, yellow jacket or hornet, your best course of action may be to call an exterminator.

Are they entering a home or other structure?

If you have found honeybees entering a hole or gap in a structure, such as a house, garage or shed, you may need to contact a specialist who performs bee removals (or "cutouts"). Understand that these procedures require expert knowledge and equipment so there are usually costs involved. A bee removal specialist should be able to give you a cost estimate prior to starting the removal, will do the least damage to the structure necessary to perform the removal, and will remove the entire hive and clean the area in order to prevent bees from returning the next year. If you spray insecticides into a hive built within a structure, killing the bees but leaving the hive inside will draw cockroaches, mice or rats, and other pests who will eat the honey and wax, and the remaining scent of honey and wax will be much more likely to draw other bee swarms the next year.

Who to call

The Central Oklahoma Beekeepers Association (COBA) maintains a list of contacts for specialists who deal with bee swarms and removals (cutouts). You can also text your swarm location (in central Oklahoma) to our own Darren Mize at 405-655-0676, and please include a photo if possible.

DWM 5/28/21