More people are seeing swarms of bees in their backyards, but experts say they are perfectly normal and indicate a healthy bee population.
“When you see these swarms moving around, it means they are really healthy and reproducing and moving around to find new homes,” Integrated Pest Management Expert Katelyn Kesheimer said.
Kesheimer works at the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, and said they see more swarms, especially after lots of rainfall. She explained, it’s natural reproduction, so when one queen bee is leaving a colony, some of the workers follow that queen, creating a swarm.
“At the same time, they can get aggressive,” Kesheimer said. “We don’t want to mess with them, and so if you see these swarms, try to stay away, especially if you have animals or children around.”
She said the best thing to do is stay away, until the swarm passes.
“It’s safe to assume if you see swarms around here it’s going to be the Africanized bee,” Kesheimer said. “They’re also called killer bees because they’re very, very aggressive. If a human or animal comes into their territory, they’re prone to attack. So you may get stung, and if one bee stings you, it creates a scent to the rest of the storm, and if one bee stings, the rest will attack.”
She said the bee population in our area is actually very healthy, but some people are worried about bee extinction. She said people have options, whether they call an exterminator or prefer a beekeeper re-home the bees.
“I get calls all the time, and people understand some bees are struggling,” Kesheimer said. “I also understand, you don’t want beehives around your kids or grandkids or pets.”
If local beekeepers can reach the hive, they will come and re-home the bees, like Danny Robinson.
“They can either be your friend, or your worst enemy, depending on what you want to do with them,” Robinson said. “Bees are not your worst enemy, and there is always someone who will come and take them and do something with them.”
Robinson said people underestimate how important it is to protect bees, and he hopes to do his part.
“People don’t realize how in depth these things are,” Robinson said. “They go to each and every plant and they’ll pollinate. People don’t realize without bees you don’t have any pollination.”
Tim Gafford of Gafford Pest Control said sometimes people just want the bees exterminated, though, especially if they are inside the home.
“That’s when people get really panicked and should be,” Gafford said. “A lot of times they get up in parts of the house into the eaves of the house where people know they’re there. They just need to have them taken care of, and that’s where we step in, or possibly a beekeeper.”
Gafford said he’s been busy after the recent storms.
“Once there’s a lot of mositure in the area, insect activity picks up quite a bit. As it gets hotter, they’ll start moving as well.” Gafford said. “You’ll see tremendous activity when it’s wet because it’s easier for them to colonize the ground is moist, and that’s when they’re most active after the rain.”
If you don’t feel threatened by the bees, many beekeepers would rather you give them a call. Robinson said in addition to helping the bees, it’s a great hobby with good pay-off: honey.
“Honey-keeping and beekeeping is a lot more fun,” Robinson said with a laugh. “I like the bees and what they stand for.”
