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How to Kill Swarming Bees

Bees swarm when an old hive has become too populated, and this is a natural occurrence with honeybees. Swarming bees are very docile and non-aggressive since they load themselves down by eating a large amount of honey before leaving their old homes in search of a new location. When bees swarm, they find a temporary location to "hang out" while a number of worker bees go out looking for a new permanent location. Once a place is found, the bees will leave just as quickly as they arrived. Unfortunately, bees may swarm together in a location where they are unwanted.

Things You'll Need

Fireproof container
Aerosol wasp and bee insecticide

Instructions

- 1
  Call a local law enforcement agency to inquire about any listed beekeepers in the area who may deal with bee swarms. Bee keepers are more than willing to capture a swarm of bees free of charge, as these bees are desired for starting new honey hives.
- 2
  Set up a container which is large enough to contain some burning wood and fill it with material to be burnt. Set the container within 100 feet upwind of the swarm mass so the wind blows the smoke directly onto the swarm. Bees don't like smoke and they will generally flee to another "safe" location as they have a built-in forest fire or prairie fire avoidance instinct. If smoking the swarm doesn't send them away, proceed to Step 3.
- 3
  Wear eye protection, gloves and long-sleeved shirt to avoid getting insecticide on your skin. Get as close to the swarm as possible, remaining upwind so the aerosol insecticide doesn't blow back on you and the mist travels directly onto the swarm mass. Spray the insecticide onto the bees and they will immediately become ill and unable to attack, dying only a minute or two later. This may require more than one can of aerosol, depending upon the swarm size and how close you are willing to get to the swarm so the bees are coated with the insecticide.

Insects & Science