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Swarms + Bee Removal

A strong, healthy bee colony reproduces itself in the springtime by swarming.


Help

save

the Bees

I need help!

Whether you need a swarm removed or have a cut-out situation, we have resources to help! Be prepared to provide detailed information about the swarm or hive on your property. The collector will need to know where the bees are located, how high off the ground and photos are a huge help to understand the situation. We only collect honey bees, no wasps or yellow jackets, please!

I need a swarm captured

Click above for a list of EMBA members who capture swarms.

I need bees removed

Click above for a list of EMBA members who remove bees from buildings + structures.

New Beekeepers

Caught your first swarm + have questions? Contact us for help by sending a detailed email.

01


What is a swarm?

A swarm is a unit of bees containing one queen and about 10,000 worker bees. After the swarm leaves the home colony, it flies to a nearby tree, bush, fencepost, streetlight, etc, and clusters in a ball, hanging from their resting place. The cluster is homeless; its’ main challenge is to find a new place to live, like a tree cavity, or a hole in another structure. While clustered, the bees engage in a fascinating, democratic decision-making process to choose from one of the many potential home sites that the scout bees have located from miles around. 


Learn more about Swarms

NPR did a great short segment on this process, which you can listen to here. Honey bees in a swarm are gentle. If left undisturbed, a swarm will locate to new quarters within a period as short as a few hours or as long as a few days. When they find a new home, they’ll disappear from your property as quickly as they appeared.

02

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Responding to a Swarm

If you see a swarm, please contact a Beekeeper to remove the swarm without harming the bees, and relocate them to a better location where they won’t be in conflict with humans. You will also need a Beekeeper to remove unwanted bees from a building or structure.


Swarm Behavior

For more information about honey bee swarms and honey bee behavior, see Dr. Tom Seeley’s enthralling videos, produced for NPR’s Science Friday by Carl Flatow.

04

Explore your options

About Bees

About EMBA

About Beekeeping

Join Now!

ABOUT EMBA

The Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association (EMBA) is a volunteer-based organization that trains beginning and advanced beekeepers, promotes beekeeping within the region; and provides networking opportunities for beekeepers, old and new.

Located in St. Louis, Missouri, the EMBA began in 1939 when a group of beekeepers in the St. Louis area got together to share their best practices, learn how to improve their success rate, and make friends with others who shared their beekeeping interests.

It has continued ever since as a vital and growing community of beekeepers, now in its’ 84th year.

BECOME A MEMBER

Membership has it’s benefits and joining is easy and inexpensive!


EVENTS

We value education and group activities! View our calendar for upcoming events.

EASTERN MISSOURI

BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION


Drexel Drive

St. Louis, MO 63130

314-451-2335



Copyright © 2013-2023.

All rights reserved.

Eastern Missouri Beekeepers Association.

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