See a Gang of Bees?! Don't Panic!

It’s Honey Bee Swarm Season – Don’t Panic, Don’t Spray!

Hey everyone! We’ve been getting a lot of calls from folks asking how to “get rid of” honey bee swarms showing up in their yards. Before anyone reaches for the spray, here are a few important facts we want to share to help protect these vital pollinators:

If you're seeing hundreds (or even thousands) of bees clustered together this time of year—relax! They're not hornets or yellowjackets. Wasps don’t reach those numbers until late summer. What you’re likely seeing is a honey bee swarm—a completely natural and harmless part of their life cycle.

What is a swarm?

Swarming is how a healthy honey bee colony reproduces. When a colony gets large enough, the bees raise a new queen. The original queen leaves with thousands of workers to find a new home. It may look intense, but these bees are not aggressive—they’re full, calm, and just passing through. Seriously, they’ve gorged themselves with honey for the journey!

Why are they sitting on my fence, tree, or car?

That’s just a rest stop. Scout bees are out looking for a new home, and the swarm is taking a breather. Most swarms move on within 24–48 hours.

What should I do?Don’t spray them! 

Honey bees are incredibly important to our ecosystem, and swarms are usually easy to relocate. Call a beekeeper instead! We keep bee specialists on staff and work with local beekeepers throughout the Lehigh Valley to safely relocate swarms. Just give us a call—we’re happy to help.

Please help us spread the word. These bees aren’t dangerous—they’re just moving!