What's buzzing! What you need to know during honey bee swarm season
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- It's that time of year -- spring!
Daylight saving time has started, which means more daylight, flowers and plants blooming and you're seeing honey bees, lots of them buzzing around your flowers, trees and garden.
And, honey bee swarms, which you'll find mostly attached to trees branches, tree trunks and other surfaces.
On Wednesday, the Wake County Sheriff's Office posted a video of a swarm outside their office to warn people in the area. They also taped off the area as a precaution until the bees were collected, the post said.
Here's what you should know about honey bees and bee swarms should you encounter one.
ABC11 spoke with a beekeeper in Cumberland County, who said they're getting at least one call a day to remove bee swarms. Whitaker Grannis said he's been a beekeeper for about 11 years. He's also the co-president of the Cumberland County Beekeepers Association (CCBA).
He said people will see more and more swarms as the weather remains warmer and flowers and plants bloom. The swarms started earlier this year because February was such a warm month. Grannis said the colder weather in March did slow them down, however, because of all the blooms that had already started, it was not a major slowdown.
Grannis shared recent pictures of swarms they've been called to remove. He said depending on the location and size of the swarm it can take time to successfully remove swarms. More than anything, he said people should not spray bee swarms with water or pesticides in an attempt to get rid of them or kill them.
"Swarming honey bees are docile and unlikely to attack."
Grannis said the CCBA works closely with beekeepers in other counties who can help collect the swarms and properly and safely relocate them.
