Spring is in the air! As the weather becomes warmer, flowers begin to bloom and along with it comes honey bees. However, you don't have to be scared of these tiny creatures, even if they happen to appear in a swarm. This only means that the weather has become warm and will continue to be so.
Swarm Season
"In extremely hot weather, when the hive's internal temperatures can rise to excessive levels and the hive population is so great, bees make their way out and cluster outside the hive in huge numbers, here they can try to escape from the heat and remain cool.
Sometimes a large swarm of bees can be seen hanging on a sign, tree limb or on a fence post. Usually, when people see this, they become alarmed, but in fact, there is absolutely no need to do so. These bees have no hives and so are homeless, to say the least, as they are travelers seeking a new location to build a hive. With no hive to protect, bees are not on the defensive side. Interestingly, these bees are carrying a heavy load of honey. This means that they possess sufficient resources to begin life anew wherever they happen to end up. At such times, bees are at their most peaceful.
An average swarm of bees has around 10,000 bees in it. The swarming period is also has something to do with their reproductive cycle, producing individual bees by way of mating and laying eggs. Besides, it is through swarming that honeybees form fresh colonies. This procedure also entails the creation of a new queen bee, the most important one in any colony. As soon as this new queen materializes, all set to assume the obligation s of a queen bee in the existing hive, the old queen together with about 50% workers of the old colony, leaves as a swarm. This group will then assemble on the branch of a tree, the side of any building close to the old hive, or a fence post. These honey gathering and consuming creatures can swarm virtually from anywhere and remain as one for a short time, or for several days even.
Save The Honeybee
Scientists warn us that populations of honey bees have been declining rapidly for some time, largely because of loss of habitat, extensive use of pesticides, as also a process termed colony collapse disorder. A recent research report revealed that the population of hundreds of species of honeybees is declining in North America.
We should not let this happen as honeybees are important for not only our environment but our economy as well since they are responsible for much of the food that we eat. This is because these amazing creatures pollinate several vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts and a host of other crops.
