Report A SWARM! | Help Bees Safely – Report Today — Lower Eastern Shore Beekeepers Association

Don't panic! The Lower Eastern Shore Beekeepers are here to help.

Report a Swarm

Is it a Swarm or an Established Hive?

Yes, it is a Swarm: If you see a basketball-sized clump of bees hanging from a tree branch, resting on a fence, or clustered on a vehicle, you are on the right page. Please continue reading below.
No, it is an Established Hive: If the bees are actively flying in and out of a hole in your siding, a soffit, a chimney, or a shed floor, they have already moved in. This requires a different, specialized service.
Click Here to visit our Structural Bee Removal Page

A yellow and black Maryland flag pattern, red and white puzzle piece design, with a large bee habitat filled with bees attached to a wooden post outdoors, with trees and a fence in the background.

Close-up of a bee hive attached to the underside of a metal structure, with bees flying around and a rocky ground with some dry plants underneath.

Have a Swarm? Let Us Help!

Honey bee swarms are an amazing, natural part of their reproductive cycle. When a colony outgrows its space, the old queen takes half the bees to find a new home.

While a large cloud of bees can look intimidating, a resting swarm is generally very docile because they have no brood (baby bees) or honey to defend. They are simply resting while scout bees look for a permanent cavity.

Before you call, please follow these essential safety guidelines:

Keep your distance: Do not poke, prod, or disturb the cluster.
Do NOT spray them: Never spray a swarm with water, pesticides, soapy water, or anything else. Honey bees are a vital agricultural resource and are protected by our state's agricultural goals.
Gather Information: Take a quick photo from a safe distance. Note roughly how high off the ground the swarm is, what it is attached to, and how long it has been there.

How to Contact a Swarm Catcher

Time is critical! A swarm may only rest in one location for a few hours before flying away.

Please contact a beekeeper listed below in your specific county. If you are unable to reach a beekeeper in the county where you are located, please continue down the list and contact a beekeeper in the next closest county. Our members often cross county lines to ensure these bees are safely retrieved.