Glossary
A honey bee colony living in the wild without human management, typically nesting in tree cavities, building walls, abandoned structures, or other natural or man-made voids. Feral colonies descend from swarms that left managed hives and represent naturally selected populations adapted to local conditions.
Before the arrival of varroa mites in North America in the 1980s, feral honey bee colonies were abundant throughout the United States. The mite devastated unmanaged populations, and feral colony density dropped by an estimated 90 percent in many areas. However, in the decades since, surviving feral lineages have developed varying degrees of varroa tolerance through natural selection.
Feral colonies nest in remarkably diverse locations: hollow trees, rock crevices, abandoned buildings, water meter boxes, and even the walls of occupied homes. They tend to build smaller nests than managed colonies and swarm more frequently, which is part of their survival strategy, as swarming creates a brood break that interrupts the varroa mite reproductive cycle.
Some beekeepers actively seek out feral colonies as a source of locally adapted, survivor genetics. Feral bees that have survived without treatment for multiple generations may carry genetic traits for varroa resistance, hygienic behavior, or disease tolerance that are valuable for breeding programs.
Capturing feral swarms (when they are in transition between nest sites) is a common and exciting part of beekeeping. A swarm is a cluster of bees with a queen, looking for a new home. Beekeepers who provide attractive bait hives near feral populations can capture these swarms and incorporate the genetics into their managed apiaries.
In southern states including Florida, feral colonies may carry Africanized genetics due to decades of hybridization with Africanized bee populations. These bees can be more defensive than managed European stocks. Beekeepers capturing feral swarms should be prepared for the possibility of defensive behavior.
Captured swarms can be legally kept in most jurisdictions, though local ordinances may restrict beekeeping in certain areas. The bees themselves are not owned by anyone once they have swarmed. However, removing an established colony from a structure (a cutout) may require a pest control license in some states.
Yes. Feral colonies produce and store honey just like managed colonies. However, since they choose their own nest sites (often in difficult-to-access locations) and are not managed for surplus production, their honey is not typically available for harvest.
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