Swarm lists by state
Virginia
Virginia’s main official beekeeping contact is the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which runs the apiary inspection program and identifies the State Apiarist. The Virginia State Beekeepers Association also serves as the statewide beekeeper association and points residents toward local bee clubs, while local Virginia associations such as Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia publish swarm-help pages for the public. ([vdacs.virginia.gov](https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-beekeeping-apiary-inspection.shtml))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Swarm or bee removal list
- Official page →
- State beekeepers association
- Virginia State Beekeepers Association
- Typical swarm season
- April to June
- Africanized honey bees
- not established
Official resources in Virginia
Official state page for Virginia apiary inspections, bee entry permits, BeeCheck mapping, and Virginia Bee Law information. ([vdacs.virginia.gov](https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-beekeeping-apiary-inspection.shtml))
Statewide beekeepers association site with Virginia-focused education, events, and links to local bee clubs. ([virginiabeekeepers.org](https://www.virginiabeekeepers.org/))
Virginia Tech’s apiculture extension page with honey-bee fact sheets and beekeeping workshop resources. ([ento.vt.edu](https://www.ento.vt.edu/the-bee-group-at-vt/beekeeping.html))
Official directory to find your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office for county-level assistance. ([ext.vt.edu](https://ext.vt.edu/offices.html))
Public swarm-removal and bee-removal page linking to the association’s current lists. ([shenvalleybeekeepers.org](https://shenvalleybeekeepers.org/who-to-call-for-honeybee/))
Key facts for Virginia
- VDACS says the Virginia Bee Law authorizes the apiary inspection program and regulates bee movement into Virginia and sales of bees, queens, and used bee equipment. ([vdacs.virginia.gov](https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-beekeeping-apiary-inspection.shtml))
- VDACS says bees on combs, hives, and equipment with combs must have a certificate of health before being sold in Virginia. ([vdacs.virginia.gov](https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-beekeeping-apiary-inspection.shtml))
- VDACS says anyone bringing bees on combs or used comb equipment into Virginia must first obtain an entry permit from the State Apiarist. ([vdacs.virginia.gov](https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-beekeeping-apiary-inspection.shtml))
- VDACS offers Virginia BeeCheck, a free voluntary online apiary-mapping system for beekeeper contact and location sharing. ([vdacs.virginia.gov](https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-beekeeping-apiary-inspection.shtml))
- Virginia Tech material says most Mid-Atlantic swarming occurs during May and June, and swarm management should begin in April. ([carroll.ext.vt.edu](https://carroll.ext.vt.edu/content/dam/carroll_ext_vt_edu/beg_beekeeping_penn_state_2004.pdf?utm_source=openai))
- Current Virginia official materials treat Africanized honey bee as a pest threatening establishment, while earlier Virginia survey reports said AHB was absent; Virginia does not show as established in the sources found. ([reports.dpb.virginia.gov](https://reports.dpb.virginia.gov/sp101?FirstRun=False&agency=301&version=2024-26&utm_source=openai))
What to do next
- If you find a cluster of honey bees, first use a local association swarm page or form rather than a general emergency call, unless there is immediate danger. ([shenvalleybeekeepers.org](https://shenvalleybeekeepers.org/who-to-call-for-honeybee/))
- If you keep bees or plan to move colonies into Virginia, review VDACS entry-permit, inspection, and BeeCheck requirements before transport or sale. ([vdacs.virginia.gov](https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/plant-industry-services-beekeeping-apiary-inspection.shtml))
- For local help, use the VSBA club directory or your county Virginia Cooperative Extension office to locate a nearby association or educator. ([virginiabeekeepers.org](https://www.virginiabeekeepers.org/localclubs))
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