Welcome back to the Bee Sanctuary! Today’s mission was a classic game of hide-and-seek. We were called out to relocate a recent swarm that had settled into a back corner, and as any beekeeper knows, the job isn’t truly done until you’ve secured the “VIP”—the Queen.

While the swarm was relatively new, they had already started drawing out several pieces of fresh comb, making the extraction a bit more delicate than a simple cluster collection.

The Plan: No Bee Left Behind

When dealing with a recent swarm like this, our goal is to move the core of the colony into a transport box and locate the Queen.

• The Strategy: If we find the Queen and place her safely in the box, the rest of the bees—including those currently flying or “fanning” at the entrance—will instinctively follow her scent.
• The “Fanning” Signal: We kept a close eye on the workers’ behavior. When you see bees with their abdomens tilted up, vigorously flapping their wings, they are releasing pheromones to tell the rest of the family, “The Queen is here! This is the new home!”

The Hunt: Going Deep Into the Corner

This colony was tucked away in a tight right-hand corner, and they were surprisingly thorough in their hideout.

• Comb by Comb: We slowly worked through the fresh pieces of comb, checking for the Queen on every surface. We saw plenty of drones, but the Queen remained elusive, likely hiding deep within the largest cluster of workers at the bottom of the cavity.
• A Test of Patience: Even after moving half the colony into the box, she still hadn’t appeared. We had to be incredibly thorough, removing the last few pieces of wax to ensure she wasn’t left behind in a crevice.

The “Gotcha” Moment

Just as we were down to the very last bits of comb, we spotted her!

• Found Her! She was tucked right at the bottom, surrounded by her protective retinue. Finding the Queen is always a relief; it’s the difference between a successful relocation and a colony that might abscond or fail.
• Technical Hiccup: In true “live rescue” fashion, our cameras decided to cut out right as we made the discovery! We didn’t get the perfect cinematic shot of her, but the mission was a success where it mattered most.

The “Overnight” Settlement

With the Queen safely in the box, we didn’t want to rush the remaining foragers.

• The Waiting Game: We left the transport box open near the original site overnight. This gives the bees that were out foraging during the day plenty of time to find their way to the box, following the Queen’s pheromones and the fanning of their sisters.
• The Collection: We’ll return tomorrow morning to close up the box and transport the entire, united family to our apiary.

The Verdict: A Successful Spring Relocation

It was a great day for the bees. By taking the time to find the Queen and allowing the colony to unite overnight, we’ve given this swarm the best possible start in their new permanent hive.

Want to see more “Queen Hunts” in the field?

Check out our Queen Spotting Playlist for more close-up looks at the leaders of the hive. Don’t forget to Subscribe and hit the Like button!