Swarming Bees!
Swarming is how honey bees reproduce at the colony level. The queen will leave the hive along with up to half of the worker bees. The swarm will cluster out in the open, often on a tree limb, while scout bees seek a suitable home. Sometimes a swarm will move on within a few hours, sometimes it may take a few days. When bees are swarming they are the least aggressive and not very likely to sting.
It is always a good idea to call a beekeeper if you see a hanging swarm because they are easy to catch at this point. Many times these swarms will find a hole in the side of a building and will move into an attic, eaves, or wall. Once they've moved in it is rather difficult to remove them. Bees in your wall? Click here.
Here is a map of the Nashville area with numbers pinpointing beekeepers interested in catching swarms. The dots represent their home addresses although many of them commute or work in different areas. Their contact information appears below the map. If you are in another part of the state we recommend you contact your county extension agent or check the TBA's list to see if there is a beekeeping association near you.
Barry Richards, Cross Plains, 654-2459
Joe Sides, Nashville, 383-4794
David Young, Nashville, 943-8886
Tom Williams, Antioch, 833-5387
Jim Primus, Franklin, (day)936-3361 or (night)599-0724
Bill Duke, Franklin, 794-1684
Ray Eason, Buffalo Valley (Smith/ Putnam), 931-858-3366
Jim Garrison, Arrington, 395-7547
Joe Dunn, Nashville, 352-5669
Tana Comer, Joelton, 299-0979
Ed Johnson, Goodlettsville, 859-7253
Henry Russell, Antioch, 832-6926
Lou Armstrong, White House, 672 0403
Charles Cowell, Nashville, 865-0226
Jannesse & Ross Shoulders, Adairville, KY, 270-726-8250
Charles Pecka, Clarksville, 931-920-7719
Fil & Brenda Harris, Goodlettsville, 855-1274
Benny Kirby, Antioch, 360-8051
Greg Miles, Hendersonville, 824-7881
Paula Morton, Greenbrier, 672-3861
