Swarm lists by state
Montana
Montana has a statewide honey-bee registration system run by the Montana Department of Agriculture, and the state publishes an official county-based swarm list for residents needing swarm pickup. Montana also remains a major honey-producing state, and Montana State University provides Montana-specific seasonal beekeeping guidance.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- State beekeepers association
- Montana State Beekeepers Association
- Typical swarm season
- late May to June, sometimes into July
- Africanized honey bees
- not established
Official resources in Montana
Montana State University Extension - A Year in the Hive
Montana-specific seasonal beekeeping calendar showing when to watch for swarm cells and manage colonies.
Key facts for Montana
- MDA says Montana has about 650 registered beekeepers in four registration classes: commercial, landowner, hobbyist, and pollination.
- MDA’s honey-bee page says the department registers all apiary sites in Montana.
- MDA’s April 7, 2026 swarm sheet says honey bees usually swarm in late May and June, sometimes into July.
- MSU’s Montana beekeeping calendar marks swarm-cell checks in May, June, and July.
- MDA’s Africanized-bees sheet says Montana is not considered suitable habitat for Africanized honey bees to be prolific.
- MDA says Montana typically ranks in the top five U.S. states for honey production.
What to do next
- If you find a clustered honey bee swarm, use the Montana Department of Agriculture swarm list first and search by your county.
- If you plan to keep bees, review MDA’s registration category rules before placing hives or moving bees onto a site.
- Before choosing a location, use MDA’s Find an Apiary map to check nearby registered apiaries and avoid siting conflicts.
Helpful guides
- What to do when you see a honey bee swarm
- A swarm vs. an established hive: why it matters
- Honey bees, wasps or yellowjackets? How to tell
- Bee cutout and hive removal cost
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