Around twice the number of bee swarms are abuzz in Auckland thanks a milder than usual winter.
Local beekeepers are fielding up to 10 calls for help a day.
Auckland Beekeepers Club president Ken Brown said they’ve had "probably double the amount of swarms" – including a backyard where thousands of bees made themselves at home.
"But they've been about four weeks earlier which is usually quite predictable, the swarming season. But I put it down to a much milder winter," he said.
So, what’s behind the buzz?
When a hive becomes too crowded, a new queen bee is crowned, and the old one moves out.
"The old queen takes up to half the bees, and they gorge themselves on honey and start a new colony. So, it's a natural process and actually it's a sign of a good, strong, healthy hive," Brown explained.
Beekeepers are fielding 10 calls for help a day. (Source: 1News)
With spring in full swing, so too is swarming season, with experts warning it could continue well into summer – and possibly as late as January.
Victoria University professor of biology Phil Lester said the bees have been "reproducing really well, building up populations, rearing to go and rearing to swarm, rearing to reproduce".
And the phenomenon isn't just in our largest city, with swarms being reported across the country.
"Bees underpin our economy, so they are really important in lots of crops, the pollination of lots of crops," Lester said.
While the sight may appear alarming at first glance, Brown said there’s "not much of a risk".
"It's a bit confronting for, say, townies on Queen St when they're not used to seeing bees and stuff," he said.
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