There is a real homeless problem in Verona, near Staunton. Thousands and thousands of homeless are swarming in the edge of the woods behind the 12thhole tee box at Ingleside Golf Course. No, not human homeless, but homeless honeybees. They are looking for a new home.
My golfing amigos and I were playing Ingleside this Tuesday, when we saw the swarm of bees. I had just heard about “homeless” bees and told the pro shop lady about the bees and asked her to find a local beekeeper. They love to find swarms like these, put them in their new homes and reap the honey.
Swarming is a spring phenomenon among honeybees. Sometimes they form a large cluster on a tree limb or light pole. They may stay for a few minutes or a few days while forming a ball around their queen, if they have one.
Sometimes in a very prolific hive, the queen may run out of room to lay more eggs. Without a beekeeper to solve the crisis, half the bees may leave with the old queen to start a new colony. The remaining workers take care of the newly hatched queen who takes over those duties.
If you see swarming bees, contact the bee folks (by Google) and they will gladly come and take care of the “homeless.”