In this Beekeeping Today Podcast Short, Dr. Dewey Caron returns with an “audio postcard” on one of spring’s biggest challenges: swarming. In less than 20 minutes, Dewey breaks down the science and management strategies of swarming across three communication levels—bee scientist to beekeeper, beekeeper to bees, and bee to bee.

Dewey emphasizes that successful beekeeping often hinges on managing three core issues: overwintering, varroa control, and swarming. Drawing from scientific literature, field experience, and behavioral cues, he details proactive and reactive swarm management practices—from requeening and early supering to Demaree splits, Snelgrove boards, and shook swarms.

He also explores the signals bees send each other—pheromones, body heat, piping calls, and buzz running—that guide the colony toward swarming and relocation. If you’re looking to better understand how to read your bees this spring and respond before the swarm takes flight, this episode is packed with insights you can put to work in your own apiary.

Links & Resources:

• Honey Bee Obscura Podcast with Dr. Jim Tew: https://honeybeeobscura.com
• Research Paper, "From Molecules to Societies:..":  https://www.researchgate.net/publication/271913315_From_molecules_to_societies_Mechanisms_regulating_swarming_behavior_in_honey_bees_Apis_spp [accessed Apr 06 2025]
• Tom Seeley's Latest Book: Seeley, Thomas D. 2024. Piping Hot Bees & Boisterous Buzz Runners. Princeton Univ Press

 

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