SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) -There are literally hundreds of thousands of bees on the move in Utah right now. They are showing up in people’s homes and businesses, but before you call an exterminator, beekeepers are begging you to give them a call. If the swarm is comprised of honey bees they will haul them away at no charge.
Employees at High Tech Manufacturing found a swarm of activity on their loading dock this morning. Beekeeper, Albert Chubak was called in to remove them. “This ball was a little bit bigger than a basketball, and you are looking at about 7,500 to 10,000 bees."
Rigo Gutierrez says the thousands of bees looked threatening." There were a couple of guys who threw some solvents over there, and we were all mad at them. "
Gutierrez says he was angry because bees are an important part of agriculture. They are responsible for pollinating crops that bring fresh fruit and vegetables to tables.
Right now, experts say the bees that are swarming are not aggressive; just on the move.
Chubak says it's important to remember the swarming honey bees are docile and they will not hurt you as long as you don't try to harm them. He says the bees have no reason to sting. "Bees inside a hive have a brood, or babies. They have honey and nectar. They have things to protect, and fight for; here they have nothing to fight for."
The queen and her worker bees are hunting for a new home after leaving an overcrowded hive. It happens once a year. The queen bee will lay another queen, and then take half the bees with her. “The hives get congested, and the bees go through the most fun event in their lifetime, and that’s when they divide and split.”
Chubak says they seek out hollow cavities; floor joists, soffits, and chimneys are frequently used by misguided bees. He says if you find them in a space near you, the best thing to do is call a beekeeper; the worst thing to do is spray them. He says that’s when normally gentle bees will get angry and sting.
Honey bees are black, gold or bronze in color and are smaller than wasps. Wasps will sting and bite unprovoked.
Beekeepers are usually able to remove a swarm of honey bees within about thirty minutes and most will show up within minutes when called.
To find out more about bee removal you can visit
www.utahbeeremoval.com or
www.utahbeekeepers.com 
