Honey Bee Swarms & Responders
See the lower half of this page for the phone numbers of beekeepers who have volunteered to respond to honey bee swarms in our region. Please call rather than emailing, as time is of the essence!
Swarming is the natural means of reproduction of honey bee colonies (considering the colony as the organism rather than individual bees which cannot survive alone), including the domesticated Western honey bee. In the process two or more colonies are created in place of the original single colony. Learn more about honey bee swarming on wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swarming_%28honey_bee%29.
With the recent increase in the collapse of honey bee colonies, it is critical that we rescue these swarms. Every colony is critical to ensure we maintain a successful ecosystem and productive harvest. Photo by: Bill Mondjack © July 2007
It is the time of year when honeybees begin to swarm. It is common for these swarms to cluster on trees or outdoor furniture. A swarm is classified as a large football-sized (or larger) cluster of bees suspended from a tree or other structure. Though not particularly hazardous, people are often intimidated by the large number of bees and may call the police, fire department or wildlife conservation officer to report the swarm and request its removal.
If you see a swarm of bees or receive a call about a swarm of bees, we hope you will find the attached list useful. It contains contact information for local beekeepers interested in capturing swarms. (Please note, unless specified, the listed responders do not respond to swarms of wasps, hornets or other insects.) Responders are listed alphabetically by county.
Berks County
Photo by: Bill Mondjack © Sept 2005
Jim Bobb
Berks, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties
610-584-6778
swarms and stinging insects
Robin Kugler
Montgomery and Berks Counties
484-955-9240
swarms and stinging insects
Bucks County
Mark Antunes
Upper and Central - Bucks and Montgomery Counties
484-955-0768 cell
215-257-7121 home
Jim Bobb
Berks, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties
610-584-6778
swarms and stinging insects
Josef Koller
Northeast Philadelphia, Lower Bucks and Montgomery Counties
215-379-0117
Bruce Metz
Upper Bucks, Upper Montgomery Counties
215-679-0206
Chester County
Jim Bobb
Berks, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties
610-584-6778
swarms and stinging insects
Montgomery County
Mark Antunes
Upper and Central - Bucks and Montgomery Counties
484-955-0768 cell
215-257-7121 home
David Baues
Royersford, Spring City, Phoenixville
484-868-3707 cell
610-948-0380 home
Jim Bobb
Berks, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties
610-584-6778
swarms and stinging insects
Jesse Howe
Montgomery County
215-565-6422
William Jasulaitis
Blue Bell, PA
610-275-1106
Josef Koller
Northeast Philadelphia, Lower Bucks and Montgomery Counties
215-379-0117
Robin Kugler
Montgomery and Berks Counties
484-955-9240
swarms and stinging insects
Bruce Metz
Upper Bucks, Upper Montgomery Counties
215-679-0206
Nancy Schnarr
Within 15 miles of Huntington Valley
267-625-5908
Carmen Veneziale
Collegeville, Norristown, Lower Providence
610-724-0226 cell
610-489-8487 home
Philadelphia
Jim Bobb
Berks, Bucks, Chester, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties
610-584-6778
swarms and stinging insects
Josef Koller
Northeast Philadelphia, Lower Bucks and Montgomery Counties
215-379-0117
John Mogck
Philadelphia
215-677-7857