AABA Newsletter May 2026, Volume 30

Honey Bee Swarming vs. Absconding: What’s the Difference?

by Elissa Sexton, President of AABA

To many people, a cloud of honey bees leaving a hive looks the same no matter the cause. But in beekeeping, swarming and absconding are very different behaviors with different meanings for the colony.

Swarming: A Natural Form of Reproduction Swarming is a normal and healthy part of a honey bee colony’s life cycle. It is how a colony reproduces itself at the colony level. In spring or early summer, when nectar is plentiful and the hive becomes crowded, the colony begins preparing to swarm. The workers raise several new queens while the old queen reduces her egg laying and slims down enough to fly. At the right moment, about half the bees leave the hive with the old queen in search of a new home. Before moving to a permanent location, the swarm often clusters temporarily on a tree branch, fence, or other surface while scout bees search for a suitable nesting site. Meanwhile, the original hive remains active with brood, honey stores, and developing queen cells. A new queen eventually emerges and continues the colony in the parent hive. Key points about swarming: usually occurs during periods of abundance; part of normal colony reproduction; only part of the colony leaves; the original hive remains occupied; and it is often associated with overcrowding and strong colony growth.

Absconding: Abandoning the Hive Absconding is very different. In an absconding event, the entire colony leaves the hive completely, abandoning brood, comb, and sometimes even food stores. Rather than reproduction, absconding is usually a response to stress or unfavorable conditions. Common causes include persistent disturbance or predator attacks, excessive heat or poor ventilation, lack of food or water, heavy pest pressure such as wax moths or small hive beetles, disease or pesticide exposure, and poor hive conditions or repeated management disruptions. Unlike a swarm, absconding colonies do not leave behind a functioning population to continue the hive. The hive may become entirely empty within hours or days. Absconding is more common in tropical honey bee races and in harsh environmental conditions, but it can happen anywhere when bees determine the location is no longer survivable. Key points about absconding: triggered by stress or poor conditions; the entire colony leaves; the hive is abandoned completely; usually considered a sign of colony problems; and it can happen at almost any time of year.

A Simple Way to Remember the Difference

Swarming = reproduction. Absconding = evacuation. A swarm is a thriving colony creating a new colony. An absconding colony is fleeing conditions it can no longer tolerate. Understanding the distinction helps beekeepers respond appropriately — whether by managing overcrowding to reduce swarming or identifying environmental stressors that may cause absconding

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Strawberry Spinach Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette A bright, seasonal salad that lets May strawberries and your spring honey share the spotlight — perfect for a club potluck or a warm-weather lunch. Get Recipe

F I N A N C I A L S M A Y
Account	Starting Balance	Debits	Credits	Ending Balance
Checking	2,129.39	85.86	-	2,215.25
Savings	5,020.03	0	0	5020.03
Square	171.02	0	0	171.02
Grand Total	7,406.03	0	0	7,406.03

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CALENDAR

Events for May & June

Beekeeping and Gardening Events: April–May 2026

AABA Monthly Meeting May 15 · 6:00 PM | Lamar Senior Activity Center, Austin. Speaker TBA. Bring snacks to share!

Bastrop County Beekeepers Association — Monthly Meeting May 13

Basic 101 class starts at 6 PM | Bastrop area. Beginner learning and local beekeeper networking.

Blanco County Beekeepers Association — Monthly Meeting May 21

Blanco County. Hill Country beekeepers and hobbyists.

Williamson County Area Beekeepers — Monthly Meeting May 26 · 7–9 PM

Williamson County. For North Austin, Round Rock, and Georgetown beekeepers.

Herbs & Honey — Two Hives Honey May 30

Two Hives Honey, Manor. Honey uses, herbs, and bee-centered education.

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BEE SOURCES

Local Suppliers & Mentors

by AABA Members

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Need queens, nucs, or equipment? Check the AABA member resource list on AustinBeekeepers.org, or ask in the monthly meeting — our members keep an updated network of trusted Central Texas suppliers and mentors.

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SEASONAL NOTES

May in the Apiary

by the AABA Editors

May is the heart of swarm season in Central Texas. Inspect every seven to ten days and watch for queen cells on the bottom edges of frames — the classic sign that a colony is preparing to swarm. Keep populous colonies supered ahead of the nectar flow, and consider splits on any hive showing strong swarm indicators. With wildflowers peaking and warm days arriving, this is also a good month to refresh water sources near the apiary. If you catch a swarm or get a call, share it with the club — swarm reports help us track local genetics and timing year over year.

WHAT’S BLOOMING

May Flora: Austin & Central TX

by Joy Mills, Secretary of AABA

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Here are common pollinator-friendly plants in bloom around the Austin area this month. Bloom timing varies with rainfall, temperature, and microclimate — keep an eye on what’s actually opening near your apiary.

Watch for: Strong nectar flow is on — stay ahead of supers, monitor for swarm cells weekly, and keep an eye on water sources as temperatures climb.

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