Beginning in April until June or July (in central North Carolina) honeybee colonies will sometimes swarm, taking about one-third to one-half of the population of bees to locate a new home. A swarm is the way in which honeybees propagate their colonies and ensure the survival of their species. Contrary to popular belief, bees are extremely docile during a swarm (their objective is to find a new home).
Typically a swarm emerges from the existing colony between the hours of 10am and 2pm and collects into a cluster in a nearby tree. Scouts are then dispatched to look for a new home, and as soon as one is located, the swarm departs.
If you notice a swarm around your home, I may be in a position to retrieve them (and relocate them to a new home) provided that they haven’t set up permanent residence inside of your house.
I will be happy to give you some advice even if I can’t retrieve them; however do not spray poison on bees that are living in your home. Yes, you will kill the bees, but you will not solve your problem. Wax moths and ants will eat what the bees leave behind, creating an unbelievable mess that will cost much more to deal with. And more bees will smell the remnants and try and locate there at a later time.
If the insects are coming and going from a hole in the ground, there is about a 99% chance that they are not honeybees (most likely yellow jackets).
If you would like some help in dealing with a honeybee swarm, please contact me by email and I will be back in touch ASAP. I live in Orange County, North Carolina near Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Carrboro.