Honeybee Swarms
Follow these five steps:
1. Go to the BBKA website
Visit the British Beekeepers Association website to find a local swarm collector.
2. Don't be alarmed
If it is indeed a swarm of bees (see point 3 below), unlike the general misconception, the bees will be docile as they will have pre-gorged themselves on honey for the express purpose of building a new home and are far less defensive than normal simply because they have no home to defend as they've just vacated it! Bees are not naturally aggressive creatures anyway, they only react if deliberately interfered with or threatened, stinging is an absolute last resort as they die once they have stung.
3. Confirm it is a swarm of honeybees
Other insects are commonly mistaken for honeybees. In fact most calls we receive are not related to honey bees. You may have seen bumble bees, solitary bees, wasps or hornets. A beekeeper will not remove any of these. You need to identify what you have seen. Click this link to the British Beekeepers Association website which explains how you can distinguish between these insects and there are some pictures of what a swarm may look like. If you are sure you have a swarm of honeybees go to step 4.
If you have wasps or hornets you may need to contact a local pest controller. We have worked with a local pest controller in the past and cooperate with him regarding honeybee swarms. He is called Richard Kinnard and his contact details are:
mobile 07734 049889, website www.waspkill.com
4. Confirm the swarm is safely accessible
A local beekeeper will arrive with the necessary equipment to collect a swarm; however they will not have equipment to reach inaccessible places. So if a swarm is high up a tree, or under the eaves of a building that is beyond reach, the beekeeper will not be able to remove them. Beekeepers will not put themselves in danger to collect a swarm. If the swarm is safely accessible go to step 5.
5. Call a Beekeeper
To collect a swarm a beekeeper will typically need to visit to prepare the swarm for collection during the day, and then return in the evening to remove it. If this is not possible then we will not be able to assist you. You will need to give details of the location of the swarm and how it can be accessed, together with your contact details. You will also need to confirm that it is a honeybee swarm and it is safely accessible. It is important to let us know as soon as as the swarm is detected since after a while, a swarm will move on and can move to an less accessible place such as a chimney,
Please note that this service is free for the collection of honeybee swarms. However if the insects are not honeybees, or if the swarm is not safely accessible, then there will be a £20 charge. Neither The Weybridge Division, nor any visiting beekeeper will be responsible for any damage or injury caused by attempting to remove a swarm. By contacting the Weybridge Division swarm collection service you are accepting these terms.
1. Go to the BBKA website
Visit the British Beekeepers Association website to find a local swarm collector.
2. Don't be alarmed
If it is indeed a swarm of bees (see point 3 below), unlike the general misconception, the bees will be docile as they will have pre-gorged themselves on honey for the express purpose of building a new home and are far less defensive than normal simply because they have no home to defend as they've just vacated it! Bees are not naturally aggressive creatures anyway, they only react if deliberately interfered with or threatened, stinging is an absolute last resort as they die once they have stung.
3. Confirm it is a swarm of honeybees
Other insects are commonly mistaken for honeybees. In fact most calls we receive are not related to honey bees. You may have seen bumble bees, solitary bees, wasps or hornets. A beekeeper will not remove any of these. You need to identify what you have seen. Click this link to the British Beekeepers Association website which explains how you can distinguish between these insects and there are some pictures of what a swarm may look like. If you are sure you have a swarm of honeybees go to step 4.
If you have wasps or hornets you may need to contact a local pest controller. We have worked with a local pest controller in the past and cooperate with him regarding honeybee swarms. He is called Richard Kinnard and his contact details are:
mobile 07734 049889, website www.waspkill.com
4. Confirm the swarm is safely accessible
A local beekeeper will arrive with the necessary equipment to collect a swarm; however they will not have equipment to reach inaccessible places. So if a swarm is high up a tree, or under the eaves of a building that is beyond reach, the beekeeper will not be able to remove them. Beekeepers will not put themselves in danger to collect a swarm. If the swarm is safely accessible go to step 5.
5. Call a Beekeeper
To collect a swarm a beekeeper will typically need to visit to prepare the swarm for collection during the day, and then return in the evening to remove it. If this is not possible then we will not be able to assist you. You will need to give details of the location of the swarm and how it can be accessed, together with your contact details. You will also need to confirm that it is a honeybee swarm and it is safely accessible. It is important to let us know as soon as as the swarm is detected since after a while, a swarm will move on and can move to an less accessible place such as a chimney,
Please note that this service is free for the collection of honeybee swarms. However if the insects are not honeybees, or if the swarm is not safely accessible, then there will be a £20 charge. Neither The Weybridge Division, nor any visiting beekeeper will be responsible for any damage or injury caused by attempting to remove a swarm. By contacting the Weybridge Division swarm collection service you are accepting these terms.