The Science Behind Bee Communication During Relocation.
Honeybees performing the waggle dance inside a hive.
How Bees Communicate, Adapt & Stay Organized During the Moving Process
Relocating a bee colony is more than just carefully transferring a hive from one place to another—it’s a moment of intense communication inside the colony. Bees rely on a highly developed system of signals to ensure their queen stays safe, the colony remains calm, and everyone moves with purpose. Understanding how bees communicate during relocation helps homeowners recognize why eco-friendly, humane bee removal is so important.
In this post, we’ll explore the fascinating science behind how bees communicate during relocation and what actually happens inside the hive when professional bee removers (like Eco Bee Removal) safely move a colony to a better home.
Why Bee Communication Is Critical During Relocation
Bees are social insects, meaning every member relies on communication for survival. Inside a hive, thousands of bees coordinate activities such as foraging, defense, cooling, and feeding. But when a relocation event happens—whether natural (swarming) or assisted (professional live removal)—their communication becomes even more important.
During relocation, bees must:
stay together as one colony
protect the queen
choose a safe new location
alert each other to dangers
organize the movement of thousands of bees
Because bees cannot speak or make loud noises, they use a combination of scents, vibrations, body language, and touch. This creates a silent but powerful communication network.
The Role of Pheromones in Bee Relocation
Pheromones are chemical signals that bees use to communicate everything from danger to orientation. During relocation, pheromones play the most important role.
1. Queen Mandibular Pheromone (QMP) – The “Stay Together” Signal
The queen produces a powerful scent that acts like a beacon.
This pheromone tells worker bees:
“I am here.”
“This is the correct colony.”
“Stay close and protect me.”
During relocation, workers cluster tightly around the queen so they do not lose her signal. This is one reason professional bees keep the queen in a special cage during transport—it keeps the colony calm and ensures they follow her.
2. Nasonov Pheromone – The “This Is the Spot” Signal
When bees find a suitable new location, scouts release the Nasonov pheromone. This scent helps returning bees locate the hive, even miles away.
During professional relocation:
bees spread this pheromone to reorient after being moved
it helps workers reconnect with the queen cage
it reduces confusion and drift (bees flying to wrong hives)
3. Alarm Pheromones – The “Danger” Warning
If bees feel threatened during relocation, they release an alarm pheromone.
Professional bee removers wear protective suits to reduce this reaction and avoid unnecessary stress to the colony.
A calm colony = safer relocation and healthier bees.
The Waggle Dance: How Bees Share Directions During Relocation
One of the most fascinating communication tools bees use is the waggle dance. This symbolic dance allows bees to communicate:
Close-up view of honeybees on honeycomb during humane live bee removal by Eco Bee Removal.
distance
direction
quality of a new home
availability of food near the new location
How It Works:
A scout bee returns to the colony and dances in a figure-eight pattern.
The angle of the “waggle run” shows the direction of the target relative to the sun.
The length of the waggle indicates distance.
Bees do this not only for food sources, but also when scouting for:
hollow trees
wall voids
soffit cavities
old hives suitable for relocation
During professional relocation, the waggle dance continues after the colony reaches its new hive box. Scouts verify that the hive is suitable, and the colony soon settles.
Vibrations & Buzzing: The Sound of Relocation
Bees also communicate using vibrations and sound waves. These signals help coordinate activity during stressful events—like relocation.
Types of Vibrational Signals:
1. “Shaking Signal” – Wake Up & Work
Workers shake their bodies against other bees.
This tells them:
become active
warm the hive
prepare for movement
Relocating colonies use this signal to mobilize the whole hive quickly.
2. “Piping” by Worker Bees
A high-pitched buzzing sound that alerts bees to changes.
During relocation, piping helps synchronize movement and keeps bees focused.
3. “Queen Piping”
Queens communicate through piping to:
signal readiness to move
warn rival queens
maintain order in the cluster
Understanding these sounds helps professional bee removers assess the colony’s stress level and adjust their handling techniques.
How Bees Coordinate During Professional Relocation
When a bee removal expert relocates a hive, the bees follow a natural communication process to stay organized.
Here’s what happens:
1. The Queen Is Secured
Experts place the queen in a ventilated queen cage.
This gives the colony a single point to gather around and prevents her from flying away during transport.
The queen’s pheromones keep the colony calm.
2. Workers Begin Fanning
At the entrance of the hive box, worker bees raise their abdomens and fan their wings rapidly.
This spreads the Nasonov pheromone, telling other bees:
“This is home.”
“Come here.”
Fanning helps reduce chaos and keeps the colony cohesive.
3. Scouts Survey the New Hive
Once relocated, scout bees explore the hive box and surrounding area.
They check for airflow, temperature, darkness, and safety.
If the location is approved, they return and perform the waggle dance to confirm.
4. Colony Resettlement Begins
The entire colony works together to:
create comb
secure food stores
regulate temperature
protect the queen
Their communication ensures a smooth, efficient transition.
Why Understanding Bee Communication Matters for Homeowners
When bees invade a wall, attic, or rooftop, many homeowners fear danger.
But understanding bee behavior reveals something else:
Bees are not aggressive by nature—they are organized, intelligent creatures simply trying to survive.
During relocation:
they follow signals
they protect their queen
they communicate constantly
they adapt quickly
This scientific coordination is exactly why live relocation is always better than extermination. Killing the colony disrupts ecosystems, reduces pollinators, and causes long-term environmental harm.
Live relocation:
saves pollinators
protects your property
supports local agriculture
reduces bee stress
keeps colonies thriving
The Role of Professional Bee Removal Experts
Eco Bee Removal uses science-backed methods to relocate colonies safely.
Our process respects bee behavior and their communication system.
We rely on knowledge of:
pheromone activity
queen behavior
worker fanning
colony stress signals
relocation timing
hive structure and movement patterns
This ensures bees remain calm and organized throughout the relocation.
Final Thoughts: Bee Communication Is a Masterpiece of Nature
The way bees communicate during relocation is nothing short of extraordinary.
Through scents, dances, vibrations, and coordination, bees achieve something few species can: moving thousands of individuals as a single, organized unit.
This natural system is why humane bee relocation works so well—professionals simply guide the process using the bees’ own instincts.
If you have bees on your property, choosing eco-friendly, live bee relocation protects both your home and the delicate balance of Florida’s ecosystem.
