Delaware: Swarm lists by state

Delaware has a formal state apiarist program through the Delaware Department of Agriculture, and the state publishes an official county-by-county honey bee swarm-removal list. University of Delaware and the Delaware Beekeepers Association also provide Delaware-specific beekeeping and swarm guidance for residents. ([agriculture.delaware.gov](https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/honeybees/))

Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.

Official resources in Delaware

Delaware Department of Agriculture - Honeybees

Main state beekeeping page with registration, laws, swarm-removal and cut-out lists, BeeCheck, and educational resources. ([agriculture.delaware.gov](https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/honeybees/))

2026 Delaware Honey Bee Swarm Removal List

Official Delaware Department of Agriculture swarm list organized by county for residents who need a swarm collected. ([agriculture.delaware.gov](https://agriculture.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/108/2026/02/2026-Honey-Bee-Swarm-Removal-List.pdf))

MAAREC / University of Delaware - Delaware

University of Delaware-hosted page summarizing Delaware registration, inspection, BeeCheck, and state apiarist services. ([canr.udel.edu](https://canr.udel.edu/maarec/participating-locations/delaware/))

Delaware Beekeepers Association

Official state association site with meetings, membership, and beekeeper support; founded in 1936. ([delawarebeekeepers.com](https://www.delawarebeekeepers.com/))

Key facts for Delaware

All persons keeping bees in Delaware must register annually with the State Apiarist by January 30. ([agriculture.delaware.gov](https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/honeybees/))
Delaware keeps an official 2026 swarm-removal list and a separate cut-out list for colonies in structures. ([agriculture.delaware.gov](https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/honeybees/))
All honey bee colonies must be inspected for diseases, mites, and Africanized bees. ([agriculture.delaware.gov](https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/honeybees/))
Delaware conducts Africanized-bee surveys at coastal anchorages and the Ports of Wilmington and Delaware City. ([agriculture.delaware.gov](https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/honeybees/))
University of Delaware Extension says April to June is prime swarm season in Delaware. ([sites.udel.edu](https://sites.udel.edu/weeklycropupdate/?p=22062&utm_source=openai))
The Delaware Beekeepers Association's swarm-removal page says swarming usually occurs in late spring and early summer. ([delawarebeekeepers.com](https://www.delawarebeekeepers.com/Swarm-Removal))

What to do next

If you see a clustered honey bee swarm, use Delaware's county swarm-removal list and contact someone in your county quickly. ([agriculture.delaware.gov](https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/honeybees/))
If bees are inside a wall, roof, or other structure, use the state's cut-out list rather than a general swarm list. ([agriculture.delaware.gov](https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/honeybees/))
If you keep even one hive in Delaware, register it with the State Apiarist and consider adding it to BeeCheck. ([agriculture.delaware.gov](https://agriculture.delaware.gov/plant-industries/honeybees/))

Helpful guides

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