David Owens, Extension Entomologist, owensd@udel.edu
Congratulations to Emmalea Ernest for correctly identifying the brown mass as a honeybee swarm. April – June is prime swarm season. Most swarms are very docile and gentle and shouldn’t bother you. If you see one, it is important to contact a local beekeeper to collect the swarm so that the swarm will not move into an undesirable location like a wall void in a building. Not only that, but 80% of swarms do not survive their first year, unless a beekeeper watches after them. The Delaware Beekeepers Association maintains a contact list should you encounter a swarm: https://delawarebeekeepers.com/Swarm-Removal.
Figure 1: Honeybee Swarm