Beekeepers can collect swarms by making their interest known to apiary inspectors, Extension agents, police departments, beekeepers, and others who might receive swarm calls. Information on availability of bees and bee equipment also can be obtained from beekeeping groups and trade journals. The bee colony will need lots of comb space for staring food and rearing brood. Lack of adequate space could lead to swarming, which could reduce honey production. Each colony should have a two story standard hive that includes a brood chamber and a honey super - the removable section where the bees store their honey.
Starvation is a principal cause of colony losses.
If bees are short of honey, they should be fed a syrup of two parts granulated sugar to one part water. Lack of pollen can be compensated for by purchasing pollen substitutes from bee supply dealers. In such cases, beekeepers will usually see a large accumulation of dead and dying bees at hive entrances. Beekeepers who place hives on growers' property should mark each beehive with their name, address, and telephone number so they can be notified In advance about spraying. Beekeepers who maintain bees on their own property need to communicate closely with neighboring agricultural operations where the bees are likely to be foraging.