Swarms - for members of the public

The presence of a swarm can be unnerving and alarming for many people. Generally they should not be disturbed and are best dealt with by Beekeepers.

A swarm is the natural mechanism that a honeybee colony uses to reproduce itself. When a colony is particularly prosperous, bursting with bees and honey (often between April and July), the old queen leaves the hive with around half of the bees in the colony, and tries to find a suitable place to make a new home. The old colony will usually produce a new queen, and continue to occupy its old site. The swarm will often settle temporarily, for a few hours to a day or two, while bees scout out a new permanent home.

If the swarm is easily accessible, a beekeeper can put it in a box and take it away to a suitable new home in a hive - possibly his own, or new members of the Association are often looking to get going with a swarm caught in this way.

To arrange collection of a swarm of honey bees, you can contact our swarm coordinator Robert Whittick on 07810 684626. If you are unable to reach Robert Whittick then you may be able to find another local beekeeper who is willing to collect your swarm, from the British Beekeepers Association website, here. This will help you confirm whether or not the bees are honey bees, and if so, you can then enter your postcode to find a list of swarm collectors nearby.

Our members provide this service as a voluntary service so please be aware they may not always be available to respond immediately. They may have to decline to help if accessing the swarm is unsafe (e.g. working at height).

If bees have settled in an inaccessible place, such as a cavity wall, chimney or inaccessible part of the roof space, most beekeepers will not be able to help. If bees have colonised an inaccessible place and you would like to have them removed, we suggest you contact a specialist who will be able to provide a quote. Again, Robert Whittick 07810 684626, or Cedarpest, based in Romsey, tel. 01794 323645, may be able to help.

Bumblebees only set up seasonal nests, and ideally they should be left alone for the short period that they are active. Beekeepers are also unable to deal with wasp nests.

Biocides to kill honeybees should only be used as a last resort (see Health and Safety Executive advice).