Yes, the queen is with the swarm. In fact, that’s how hives multiply. The old queen leaves with about half the hive, leaving a new queen behind. When you dropped a bunch to the ground, the queen was still in the bunch left behind, that’s why the ones on the ground went back to her.
Aha. Thanks very much. The queen was probably inside the worm bin.
Another year, another swarm of bees question.
The bees have once again set up shop in my worm bin. I guess after this recent situation settles down, that worm bin is going to have to go.
About two weeks ago I noticed a lot of bees going in and out of the worm bin through the little air holes. This worm bin sits right by a patio and I’ve sat out there and they don’t bother me and I didn’t bother them. Yesterday morning I decided to pop off the top of the worm bin because I’d like them to move.
The top popped off and settled on its end leaning against the worm bin with the underside not visible. I thought that was enough annoying them for the day and hoped they’d fly away.
Since they were gathering on the lid in small bunches, I thought I should take the top and move it far away as there seemed to be something on the lid that was attracting them.
Just now I took a stick to lift the worm bin top away from it’s position tilted against the side of the bin, and it flipped from it’s resting place a foot or so away. Underneath the top is a football sized mound of bees. The bees are covering about half of what appears to be a beautiful white honeycomb. Man, they work fast.
They are not angry, have not stung me but there are a few that buzz around. I’ve left them alone only getting about four feet away to stare in amazement.
Any thoughts on how to get them to find a new home?