Never Scare This Bee Swarm Out of Your Yard

There's a huge swarm of bees in your yard. Before you reach for the hose, here's what's actually going on. A honeybee swarm hanging from a branch, fence, or porch looks terrifying, but it's usually one of the calmest, least defensive moments in a colony's life. This is a homeless colony between homes: an old hive has split, the queen has left with thousands of workers, and they're resting in the open while scout bees search the neighborhood for a new place to live. With no honey or brood to defend, they're far less likely to sting than an established hive. though anyone with a sting allergy should still keep well back. In this video: why bees swarm, what those scout bees are really doing, how the colony picks a new home with no one in charge, and exactly what to do, and what never to do, if a swarm shows up in your yard. The short version? Don't spray it. Don't chase it. Call a local beekeeper who can collect it alive. Subscribe to The Bee Oasis for the hidden world of bees — one wonder at a time.