What should I do if I find a swarm of bees?

If you find a swarm of honey bees, the first thing you should do is contact a local beekeeper. A honey bee swarm occurs when about one third to one half of the worker bees in a colony leave with the queen to establish a new hive. Swarms can vary in size and typically consist of one queen and thousands of worker bees. They are most commonly seen in Michigan during May and June. While the swarm may appear harmless while resting on a tree branch or fence post, it is crucial to have a beekeeper collect it to ensure the bees' survival and prevent potential issues.