Swarm Seekers: Traditional Beekeeping with Baltic Nectar team

Have you ever seen a swirling mass of bees suspended in mid-air, moving as one, like a living, breathing cloud? The sight of a swarming bee colony is both mesmerising and exhilarating—a true spectacle of nature’s ingenuity. For traditional Swarm Seekers, capturing a swarm is an integral part of the craft. We manage 200 hives across 10 apiaries, nestled in diverse landscapes of fields, meadows, and forests. Our bees typically swarm in late spring and early summer—an awe-inspiring natural process. Moreover, this can sometimes result in the loss of a bee colony, as the swarmed colony may become difficult to track. When a colony swarms, around ten thousand worker bees take flight with the old queen in search of a new home, while the remaining bees stay behind to raise a new queen for the original hive.

Swarming bees do not travel far initially; they often cluster within 30 to 50 metres of their original hive, forming a buzzing mass on tree branches or other elevated surfaces. This is when Swarm Seekers spring into action. Farmers frequently call us when they spot a bee colony hanging on a tree, and we often encounter swarms during our walks through the countryside. Living close to nature, we always keep our car stocked with fishing, camping, and beekeeping equipment—ready to retrieve a swarm at a moment’s notice.

Catching a bee swarm is a fascinating process. Despite their intimidating numbers, swarming bees are not aggressive. When they first settle on a tree or another surface, they engage in a remarkable democratic debate about where to establish their new home. Hundreds of experienced worker bees act as scouts, exploring the countryside for suitable nesting sites. Once they identify potential locations, they communicate their findings through intricate dances. Over hours or even days, the bees deliberate and ultimately reach a consensus on the best possible home—typically a hollow tree several miles away. This sophisticated decision-making process, as detailed in Thomas D. Seeley’s "Honeybee Democracy," showcases the incredible intelligence and cooperative nature of honeybees.

A common misconception is that the queen bee rules the colony like a dictator. In reality, a honeybee colony functions as a collective. While the queen is essential for laying eggs and maintaining population growth, she does not issue commands. Instead, worker bees manage all aspects of the hive, from foraging for nectar to producing raw honey, building wax combs, and protecting the colony. Without a central planner, honeybees achieve an extraordinary level of coordination, relying on environmental cues and their sophisticated communication system to keep the hive thriving.

Understanding that swarming bees prefer hollow trees allows us to strategically place bait hives in such locations. When we find a swarm, we carefully collect it, knowing the bees are focused on safeguarding their queen rather than acting defensively. It is even possible to gently scoop up a handful of bees and place them in a collection box. Once gathered, the swarm is housed in a mini hive for a short period before being introduced to one of our permanent hives, where they continue their work producing the highest-quality raw honey, unfiltered and unpasteurised Baltic Nectar, along with an array of raw bee products.

Swarm catching is one of the most thrilling and rewarding aspects of beekeeping. It not only allows us to support bee populations but also deepens our appreciation for their intricate social structures and cooperative instincts. For Swarm Seekers, every swarm rescued is a step towards preserving the future of these incredible pollinators. As they settle into their new homes, they begin producing pure, unprocessed honey, a golden reward for their hard work and dedication to nature’s balance. Whether you enjoy raw honey for its rich flavours or seek the benefits of unfiltered, unpasteurised bee products, every jar tells the story of these extraordinary creatures and their journey.

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